438 Main St, Suite 1200 ◦ Buffalo, NY 14202 175 Walnut St, Suite 1 ◦ Lockport, NY 14094 314 Central Ave, Suite 300 ◦ Dunkirk, NY 14048

(716) 853-3087 www.elderjusticeny.org

June 12, 2020

Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo of State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, New York 12224

RE: Support for S8113-A / A10521-A, Relating to moratoria on utility termination of services during periods of pandemics and/or states of emergency

Dear Governor Cuomo,

We are writing to request that you approve S.8113-A / A.10521-A so that critical utilities that protect New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic can be maintained. Public health officials have stressed the importance of hand washing during the pandemic. Individuals without water service at are an increased risk for contracting and spreading COVID-19. This bill goes a long way to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers while also helping to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Center for Elder Law and Justice is a non-profit legal services agency that provides representation to some of ’s most vulnerable populations. It has been stated that senior citizens are one of the most at-risk populations to contract COVID-19. We are deeply concerned for our increasing number of elderly clients who are at risk of having utility services shut off. While we commend the Governor’s forward thinking approach with the adoption of Matilda’s Law, we are aware of many senior citizens throughout Western New York who do not have the luxury of self-isolating at home because they cannot afford their utility bills. We have seen first-hand just how high utility bills can become for individuals with limited incomes. When someone falls behind, fees and penalties make it nearly impossible to get caught up, and in many cases, individuals have their services terminated. There are an alarming number of properties throughout the City of Buffalo that have had water service terminated. Water is one of several utility services that are essential to an individual’s health and well-being during normal times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these services have become even more crucial.

With record high unemployment numbers throughout the state, it is safe to say that many New Yorkers cannot afford utility payments, nor will they be able to become current

438 Main St, Suite 1200 ◦ Buffalo, NY 14202 175 Walnut St, Suite 1 ◦ Lockport, NY 14094 314 Central Ave, Suite 300 ◦ Dunkirk, NY 14048

(716) 853-3087 www.elderjusticeny.org

immediately after the state of emergency ends. Not only will this bill protect the health of New Yorkers by preventing utility shutoffs during the COVID-19 state of emergency, but it will also require service restoration to homes that have lost service due to non-payment of a bill. It also provides additional safeguards immediately after the state of emergency by extending the moratorium on shutoffs. The bill also assists by providing an option of creating restructured payments for customers who have had a change in financial circumstances because of COVID-19.

In closing, we would like to again stress the need for the protections provided by this bill. Essential utilities during these critical times should not be available just for those who can afford them. This bill will help to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers as we work together to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this critical issue.

Very truly yours, /s/ Kevin M. Quinn Kevin M. Quinn Supervising Attorney