Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com
Staff article
CLEVELAND, Ohio- As Cleveland families continue to face financial strain following the end of the federal government shutdown alongside increased holiday season expenses, Mayor Justin M. Bibb and the Department of Public Utilities today announced a 30-day extension of the moratorium on utility disconnections for nonpayment.
"We hear and understand what many Cleveland families are going through right now," said Mayor Bibb. "Even though the federal shutdown has ended, the financial fallout is far from over. Families are still catching up on bills, juggling holiday expenses, and trying to stay afloat. This extension is intended to alleviate some of that pressure."
Effective Fri., Nov. 7, 2025, and now extended through Jan. 6, 2026, customers of Cleveland Water and Cleveland Public Power will not face service interruptions due to unpaid bills during this period. Account balances will continue to accrue, but the city is taking this step to ensure residents maintain access to essential services.
Cleveland is a largely Black major American city where more than a third of its residents live below the poverty line, and the city's poverty rate is double the national average.
The extension comes as the Christmas holiday nears and at a time when many households are still recovering from weeks without federal paychecks and the lingering financial hardship created by delayed SNAP benefits during the shutdown under President Donald Trump.
Mayor Bibb emphasized that "the city remains committed to supporting Clevelanders with empathy and common-sense action."
Residents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of Public Utilities to enroll in a payment arrangement or take advantage of available assistance programs. For more information, please call or visit:
Cleveland Water
Customer Service: 216-664-3130
Assistance Programs: https://www.clevelandwater.com/discount-programs
Cleveland Public Power
Customer Service: 216-664-4600
Assistance Programs: https://www.cpp.org/assistance-programs
Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most-read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former President Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.
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