Utilites turned off and the disabled

[wendytheard]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Louisiana

I do not know if I am in the correct forum; so please bear with me. My brother has stage 4 cancer, on SSI and is very ill at this time. The electric company is planning on turning off his electricity should he not comply with getting his septic system up to reg. He has a permit to get it done within 6 weeks, two of which have passed. He has never been late with an elec. bill so this is not an issue. I have no idea why they are even involved in this.

My brother lives in an old home outside of city limits and agrees the system is old and outdated. He cannot afford the thousands of dollars it will take to upgrade (they will not just let him 'fix').

Isn't it illegal to turn off the electricity of someone that cannot work, etc.? Any advice would be so appreciated.

Thanks,
Floyd's sisterWhat is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Some Random Guy]

Isn't it illegal to turn off the electricity of someone that cannot work, etc.?

No. However, there are laws and regulations against disconnecting utilities where the residents rely on them for medical equipment and other lifesaving devices.

You state that he has a permit to get the system upgraded with a deadline 4 weeks from today. Are you saying that the utility has permitted him to take this long, or that he has received a permit from the parish to perform the septic system repairs?

The utility company may be threatening to shut off electricity because the property is not considered habitable without a working septic system. But to find out for sure, you would have to ask them. Specifically you should ask:

1. What specific problem needs to be remedied for the septic system?
2. Under what authority are you disconnecting service for a non-electrical and non-payment issue?

Have you contacted a local agency who helps residents with utility shutoffs? Most would be focused on low income people who haven't paid their bills, but they should be able to provide some guidance on what to do.

http://www.lhfa.state.la.us/downloads/energy/Energyproviderlistbyparish1.pdf

 

[wendytheard]

Thank you for your reply. Just to clarify:

1) He received a permit from the parish (thank you for acknowledging the parish part)

2) I can understand that they would want to get involved in this if they thought the house was inhabitable, however that is not completely the case. I admit my brother has trashed it pretty good. But I brought a lot of pictures inside and out to the assessor trying to get the property taxes to a proper amount; and it was not considered too bad to live in - does that account for something?

The septic system he has is working, it has been kept up to maintain the usage. It's just not the 'new' one. I was told that if a house is sold it has to be updated completely. My brother is not selling.

I thank you for the link - I will contact the appropriate agency today. Wish me luck!