December 4, 2025 — Cleveland — As 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.
Effective Friday, November 7, 2025, and now extended through January 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.
The extension comes 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.
“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."
Mayor Bibb emphasized that the City remains committed to supporting Clevelanders with empathy and commonsense 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
