Domestic violence victims are now eligible for a 60-day waiver for utility deposits.
The new waiver went into effect Friday and applies to electric service, natural gas service, water service and other utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission, according to Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley.
Presley was in Columbus Friday to announce the change.
“It’s really just a bit of breathing room for victims to be able to get out of a dangerous situation and to be able to get the assistance that they need to move out,” Presley said. “Right now, we know there are a lot of people who stay in dangerous situations simply because they don’t have the financial means to pack up and move. One of the biggest impediments to that, one of the biggest roadblocks is utility deposits because it’s a lot of money up front.”
In order to be eligible for the waiver, domestic violence victims must be certified by a domestic violence shelter. The deposit must be paid within 60 days. Presley said he hopes victims of domestic violence will see the waiver as an opportunity to escape a life-threatening situation.
“We know there are situations of domestic violence in Mississippi…this is just one way we can assist victims of domestic violence escape possibly a life threatening situation, definitely a dangerous situation, and makes life a little bit easier, makes the escape a little bit easier for those victims.
Locally, Safe Haven is the only domestic violence shelter in the Golden Triangle. Safe Haven Shelter can be reached at 662-327-6118.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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