The New Orleans City Council has told Entergy not to turn off any electricity or gas for another month.
A news release says that the Council adopted a resolution directing Entergy New Orleans to continue its suspension of service disconnects for non-payment until August 1, 2020, due to the ongoing financial burdens of COVID-19.
Councilwoman Helena Moreno said, "As New Orleanians continue to struggle with wage and job loss stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to be doing all we can to provide support and lessen burdens from their daily lives."
She also talked about a new program that provides money to pay utility bills.
"We recently enacted and launched the $22m City Council Cares program to help provide direct bill assistance - up to $400 per applicant. This is an unprecedented response to an unprecedented challenge, a policy of scope and size never attempted likely anywhere else in the country."
Entergy says there are a number of ways to apply for the program.
"Entergy New Orleans residential customers who have an active electric or electric and gas combination account can visit www.entergyneworleans.com/citycouncilcares, text CCC to 69516, call (504) 493-7004, or visit one of the Company’s two New Orleans walk-in customer care centers to apply."