SoCalGas suspends service disconnections as part of COVID-19 response

(Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Southern California Gas Co. announced a suspension of service disconnections to any customers who are having a hard time paying their bill.

The policy will remain in effect until further notice. Customers can call 1-877-238-0092 to speak with a representative about their bill. SoCalGas customer service is available around the clock.

"We understand that our customers may be worried about paying their upcoming natural gas bill at this time,'' said Paul Goldstein, vice president of customer services at SoCalGas. "We want to help ease their concerns and continue to provide the reliable natural gas service they depend on to heat their homes and hot water and cook their food.''

In addition to the temporary suspension of service disconnections, SoCalGas is taking various precautionary measures, including:

 -- asking customers a series a of health-based questions before entering the home;

-- instructing employees to keep a safe distance from anyone self-quarantined or sick;

-- reminding employees to stay home if they are sick and encouraging work from home and other social distancing practices;

-- implementing company travel, visitor, meeting and event restrictions;

-- enhanced cleaning of SoCalGas facilities and personal hygiene practices; and

-- providing SoCalGas branch offices with hand sanitizer for customer use.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States, with 21.8 million customers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California.