Today, more than 80% of global shipping involves containers. They're packed with everything from personal storage items in dry containers to heavy machinery on flat rack containers. For business owners shipping products, getting a container from point A to point B requires precise planning and high-level tracking. But that's easier said than done when global supply chains become over-congested, leading to loading time issues and delays.
That's bad news for business owners who are already under a massive amount of stress. The truth is that container storage delays can cripple a business, but there's a viable solution: drayage brokers in Long Beach, CA like RelyEx. Drayage companies provide unique solutions to minimize demurrage and help ensure the successful delivery of your freight.
With more than 30 combined years of experience and a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx has quickly become the first choice for streamlined, efficient drayage services. To understand the true value of RelyEx's offerings in the global logistics industry, it helps to understand first what drayage is and why it's used.
If you're a seasoned business owner who uses port drayage to transport your products, you know exactly how important the service can be. But if you were to poll a group of random people, you may get five different definitions of the term "drayage." That begs the question, how is one of the most crucial steps in the supply chain and most vital components of global trade such a confusing concept? When you break it down, it's not too difficult to grasp.
Drayage, by definition, means the transportation of freight from an ocean port to another destination. Today, drayage is also used to describe the process of transporting products and goods over short distances or over "the first mile."
While drayage often means short-distance movements during the supply chain process, it's primarily used in the container shipping space. Drayage loads usually have arrival and departure points in the same city and don't include long-haul, national transportation.
Because a drayage load can mean a few different things, confusion among carriers is common. Many carriers link drayage with going into a port, but that isn't always true. While all drayage loads typically originate from a port of entry, there are often several legs of a drayage journey before a container turns up at its final stop. Legs of a drayage load may include:
You may be thinking, what's so important about drayage? It's such a small step in the container storage transport process. In reality, it's an integral piece needed in the logistics industry and a crucial part of U.S. supply chain management.
To truly understand the importance of drayage, let's use flowers as an example. Most cut flower shipments enter the market from areas in South America until they end up at Dutch auction houses. Once there, wholesalers purchase flowers in bulk and send those products to retail outlets worldwide. Because flowers are perishable, they typically need to be refrigerated and are often shipped in reefer containers. These refrigerated vessels must maintain a certain temp to prevent loss.
Drayage companies like RelyEx allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services. Drayage companies allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind, because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services.
If port drayage is compromised, it can cause delays and even fines. You know the packages you get delivered to your front door from apps like Amazon? Without drayage and drayage brokers, one or two-day shipping times wouldn't even be possible.
As a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. alone, it seems like drayage shipping issues shouldn't exist. But the fact is inefficiencies and congestion are still major problems at ports. Whether it's a lack of carriers, absent chassis, or overburdened terminals, delays lead to missed deadlines, lost revenue, and worse.
But anytime challenges exist, so too do innovative solutions.
QUOTE REQUESTRelyEx was created because our founders saw a need in the logistics space for more reliability and efficiency. The reality of the shipping and logistics industry is that it has become very transactional. It's an odd evolution, because most businesses seek a third-party logistics partner that is accessible, transparent, and committed to providing solutions.
As the logistics space continues to grow, it creates newfound expenses and complexities. Clients like ours know that and need a supply chain partner who is genuinely interested in their business. By understanding the needs of our customers and carriers, we can provide the most reliable, effective drayage services possible.
Unlike some drayage companies in Long Beach, CA, we begin managing your containers before they ever hit the ports by mapping out the most efficient pathways of delivery. That way, our team can discover the best drayage pathways to expedite delivery time and reduce fees that cut into profits.
Our valued drayage customers choose RelyEx because:
At RelyEx, we like to consider ourselves problem solvers. The nature of the container drayage industry presents new challenges every day, but we're firm believers that there's a solution to every hurdle we encounter. And while some drayage businesses implement a reactive approach, RelyEx customers choose us for our proactive mindset. We take pride in solving your company's drayage challenges to help you avoid frustrating fees, missed expectations, and delayed shipments. We strive to make every transaction successful and streamlined by partnering with shippers who prioritize transparent, prompt, and accurate communication.
RelyEx approaches your business from the customer's perspective - a unique approach that helps us provide high-quality, effective drayage services. We've been in the customers' shoes, know their pain points, and because of that, provide first-hand solutions to stressful supply chain issues. With over 30 years of collective knowledge, our team excels in:
Our varied, high-level drayage shipping experience helps us achieve our overarching goal: expertly managing your freight movement needs. That way, you can direct your time and focus on growing the core aspects of your business while we handle the heavy lifting. Throw in proactive planning to avoid bottleneck situations and strong communication for transparent customer relations, and you can see why so many companies trust RelyEx.
When it comes to shipping logistics, it only takes one mistake by a mediocre worker to disrupt your business. That's why, at RelyEx, we pride ourselves on forming and nurturing relationships with carriers who match our standards of care. Our founding partner started his career transporting freight for companies as an on-demand carrier. He uses that knowledge to maximize the resources of our carriers so that our customer's expectations aren't just met - they're exceeded.
Based in the port city of Long Beach, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Customers choose RelyEx because:
Some drayage brokers don't care how customers feel about their service as long as they sign a contract and get paid. As a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx takes the opposite approach. We're motivated by the opportunity to overachieve for our customers and to provide them with the best logistics experience possible. With professional experience as carriers and shippers ourselves, we know the roadblocks and challenges you're facing. We excel at mapping out the best plans of action to solve those problems. But that's just the start.
Our tracking experts monitor and manage every aspect of your drayage shipment from booking to delivery, 24/7. Once booked, we look for the availability of your containers hourly once they're at port. When they arrive, our team acts quickly to access your storage containers when they're available.
Plus, RelyEx ensures your company's requirements are met by the carrier during loading and delivery and provide necessary documentation as fast as possible. With real-time tracking updates and access to our customer service professionals, your team has complete visibility throughout the shipping process.
Over the years, RelyEx has built a strong network of drayage carriers, transloading locations, and container storage spaces to provide you with the best possible options to match your drayage service needs. We know that searching for quality service presents an added layer of complexity and stress to our customers. That's why we work hard to take that off your plate by connecting you with our reliable shipping partners.
With a background moving freight as an on-demand carrier, our founding partner understands how to maximize the resources and equipment of our carriers to match your needs.
Like other industries, the global logistics space is complex. Mistakes will be made, and problems will happen. With those truths in mind, RelyEx has built its reputation as problem solvers. Unlike other drayage companies, we don't shy away from this industry's complexities because we take pride in solving problems. Even better, we aim to do what's needed to avoid those problems altogether.
As your logistics partner, we will provide your company with accurate, transparent, and prompt communication. If there are unexpected issues, we'll notify you immediately and will provide several options to remedy the problem. We even offer custom reporting for large clients who need at-the-moment updates and quick access to shipment documentation.
Why let the unpredictability of your industry dictate your success? With a background working in manufacturing, our founders are familiar with the demands of managing production schedules and sales orders. That experience makes it abundantly clear to us that every business and industry is different. If you struggle with seasonal surges or other factors, our team supports your business with a mapped-out plan and schedule, so you stay ahead of the game.
QUOTE REQUESTBased in the port city of Long Beach, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Demurrage is a charge issued by a port, carrier, or railroad company for storing containers that do not load and unload their cargo promptly. Once the daily limit of free time is exceeded, shippers are charged daily demurrage fees until their cargo is shipped. Though different ports have different policies, charges can range from $75 to $150 per container, per day, for a set number of days. Additional demurrage fees are incurred if a shipper exceeds the port's parameters.
Even when shippers maintain a tight schedule for unloading freight, external factors can play an uncontrollable part. Typically, shipping mistakes caused by human error trigger the most demurrage charges. Some of the most common causes of demurrage include:
Typically, shippers need four specific documents to clear shipments through customs: A Bill of Lading (or BOL), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and an arrival notice. Seasoned drayage brokers like RelyEx are used to preparing these documents, but new shippers tend to miss this step due to inexperience.
If a shipper only pays for part of their shipment, a vessel operator may refuse to release their freight until their bill is fully paid. Payment delays lead to cargo detention at the port of entry, which triggers demurrage charges.
QUOTE REQUESTPaperwork is needed when you're shipping goods with a drayage company. When documents like the Certificate of Origin or Bill of Lading arrive at their destination late, you can expect demurrage fees. RelyEx avoids this situation entirely by being proactive when submitting paperwork.
Additional causes for demurrage fees can include:
At RelyEx, we know first-hand how stressful supply chain problems can be for business owners. Though drayage shipping might seem minor on the surface, it affects every stage of your shipping process. And when inevitable hurdles manifest, RelyEx propels you over the proverbial roadblocks with a proactive mindset and a passion for challenging projects. We believe that all problems have a solution, and our unique vantage point allows us to provide first-hand solutions to customers in a wide array of industries.
When it comes to your business, don't settle for anything less than RelyEx. Contact our office today to learn more about how we make your shipping experience streamlined and stress-free.
The city of Long Beach has temporarily closed its beaches heading into a warm weekend after a sewage spill dumped 250,000 gallons of waste into the Los Angeles River, officials said.An equipment malfunction caused a blockage in the sewage treatment system about 9:40 a.m. Thursday as Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts maintenance crews were working in Downey, according to the sanitation department.The wastewater overflowed into the street, covering Burns and Rives avenues and prompting the department to close off the area f...
The city of Long Beach has temporarily closed its beaches heading into a warm weekend after a sewage spill dumped 250,000 gallons of waste into the Los Angeles River, officials said.
An equipment malfunction caused a blockage in the sewage treatment system about 9:40 a.m. Thursday as Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts maintenance crews were working in Downey, according to the sanitation department.
The wastewater overflowed into the street, covering Burns and Rives avenues and prompting the department to close off the area for cleaning, officials said.
The blockage was cleared after more than an hour and a half, but not before massive amounts of waste had spilled into the river, which flows into the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, officials said.
CLOSURE UPDATE! Rives Avenue between Burns Avenue and Adwen Street is now open.Rives Avenue between Adwen Street and Stewart & Gray Road continues to be CLOSED. Closure is due to a sewage spill that occurred earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/51sq4w25CY
— City of Downey - Government (@CityofDowney) April 20, 2023
While it is not clear how the spill will affect the water off Long Beach, state law requires the city to close beaches for public use until the water quality has been tested and deemed safe, according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.
“Water from the Los Angeles River connects to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, which means pollution anywhere upriver can affect the coastal waters of the City. Long Beach has approximately seven miles of public beach,” the city said in a press release. “The City of Long Beach Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality health inspection team is monitoring water quality along the affected beach sites. Water monitoring will continue until results comply with State water quality standards.”
The closure of the beaches comes as Southern California is set to experience the warmest weekend of the year, with temperatures at beaches heading up to 80 degrees on Friday and remaining in the 60s and 70s on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Sewage spills are nothing new to the area.
In 2022, local beaches were closed due to a 30,000- to 40,000-gallon sewage spill that flowed into the Los Angeles River.
A much bigger spill at the end of 2021 sent 6 million to 7 million gallons of waste into the river, closing beaches in Los Angeles and Orange counties for days.
If the threat of the Lampson Project is not enough to concern residents of the College Park East and West communities in Seal Beach, a change in landing patterns at the Long Beach municipal airport has residents calling the FAA this week complaining of low-flying commercial jets.“I called the Federal Aviation Administration complaining about the low-flying planes,” said Kristina Aurang, a resident of the College Park East told the Sun this week. “This is different pattern and I am just wondering if it is permanent,&r...
If the threat of the Lampson Project is not enough to concern residents of the College Park East and West communities in Seal Beach, a change in landing patterns at the Long Beach municipal airport has residents calling the FAA this week complaining of low-flying commercial jets.
“I called the Federal Aviation Administration complaining about the low-flying planes,” said Kristina Aurang, a resident of the College Park East told the Sun this week. “This is different pattern and I am just wondering if it is permanent,” she said.
The Sun reached out to Long Beach Airport and determined that electrical problems with its main runways have indeed prompted a change in the approach and landing patterns which could prolong the change through most of the summer.
“Major electrical upgrades designed to improve the safety of the primary runway at Long Beach Airport (LGB) are being installed from late March through July, necessitating some temporary runway closures,” said a statement issued by Kimberly McMahon, an airport public affairs spokesperson.
In the statement, she said major improvements are being made to Runway 12, one of the key airport runways, causing a three- or four-month temporary closure. During Runway 12-30 closures, operations will occur on Runway 8L-26R, which she acknowledged could bring lower-than-normal traffic flowing over neighborhoods like College Park that generally do not see lower flying landing traffic.
McMahon said the $9.5 million Rehabilitate Runway 12-30 project, primarily funded by an Airport Improvement Program grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will bring the Airport’s largest runway in line with the latest FAA standards and add to the Airport’s sustainability efforts, she said.
As part of the project, more than 500 new LED lights will be installed as part of the electrical project. In addition to the safety benefits of brighter lighting, the LED bulbs use between 75 percent and 90 percent less energy and have a longer life expectancy than incandescent or quartz lights.
In addition, according to McMahon’s statement said major improvements to Runway 12-30 infrastructure, which has reached the end of its designed service life, will include: • Replacement of all electrical cable powering runway lights and navigational aids (more than 37 miles of airfield cable and grounding wires). • Replacement of all the runway edge lights, centerline lights, and runway end lights (128 total light fixtures and transformers). • Replacement of the runway touchdown zone lights that allow aircraft to safely land in low visibility conditions (180 total base cans, fixtures and transformers). • Restoration of the runway with new asphalt concrete, grooving, and striping (enough to pave a two-lane road almost 1.5 miles long).
Due to the safety setback requirements of the construction work, there will be temporary runway closures between March 29 and mid-July: Runway 12-30 will be CLOSED NIGHTLY, Sundays through Thursdays, from March 29 to mid-July. In addition, Runway 12-30 will be CLOSED DAILY, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from April 18 to May 24, she said.
Exact dates are subject to change, and details are available on the Airport’s Current Noise Advisories webpage, said the statement.
Both commercial air carriers and general aviation operators are cooperating to ensure the safe and timely completion of this critical project. As with last year’s nighttime closures related to reconstruction of Taxiway L, the Long Beach Airport Association (LBAA) is encouraging LGB-based flight schools to voluntarily reduce their nighttime training maneuvers and fly quieter. LBAA is a nonprofit organization representing LGB tenant members. LBAA’s voluntary program asks flight schools to cease pattern work, which consists of low-altitude practice circuits close to the airport, after 9:59 p.m. on evenings when there is nighttime construction work that closes Runway 12-30, the primary runway.
The FAA requires night training in order to earn and maintain a pilot’s license. In addition to the guidance about ceasing pattern work after 9:59 p.m., LBAA also provided “How to Fly a Friendly Pattern at LGB” best practices to LGB-based flight schools, master tenants and operators. Recommendations include using the full length of the runway, full power on departure and techniques for achieving maximum altitude.
Long Beach Airport, which has one of the strictest noise control ordinances in the nation, requires that all commercial flights be scheduled between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Operations between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. are allowed if the delays are caused by weather, air traffic or mechanical issues.
McMahon’s statement acknowledged curiosity among residents. She said residents with questions or desiring more information may visit www.lgb.org/noise or contact the Noise Office at lgbnoise@longbeach.gov or 562.570.2665.
Ever wanted to step through the screen and into your beloved FRIENDS™ episodes? You’ll get to do just that at ...
Ever wanted to step through the screen and into your beloved FRIENDS™ episodes?
You’ll get to do just that at ‘The FRIENDS™ Experience’ coming to Long Beach in June. The hilarious journey through your favorite sitcom comes from OGX, Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television Group, the producers behind the actual show — so you know you’re in for a treat.
Realistic rooms bring the universe of FRIENDS™ to life, with all its iconic sets, costumes and hilarious references. Unique merch, quirky photo-ops and plenty of memorabilia… bring your lobster because ‘The FRIENDS™ Experience’ has lots in store!
Join the waitlist to get exclusive access to tickets once they’re released on May 25!
It’s no surprise Long Beach would get their own dedicated FRIENDS™ Experience: the legendary show has tirelessly influenced pop culture. Whether it be through memes, TV references or real-life interactions, FRIENDS™ is a true part of our daily lives — and we won’t be the ones to complain.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the series, OGX and Warner Bros. created this adventure for fans of the show and curious attendees alike to enjoy. What can you expect? A world where ‘unagi’ reigns, full of FRIENDS™ trivia, set replicas and themed activities.
If, like us, you’ve always wanted to peer through the iconic purple apartment door, now’s your chance to do so (be careful not to step on that cheesecake on the floor, though). Take in hilarious show references and fun facts while you navigate through various rooms, including the well-known fountain, Rachel and Monica’s kitchen, Central Perk — and don’t forget to snap souvenirs at the various photo-ops of the experience!
‘The FRIENDS™ Experience’ has toured cities throughout the U.S. in places like D.C., NYC, San Francisco, Denver and Seattle before finally stopping by Long Beach this summer. The experience was ranked fourth best attraction of 2021, and in every city it’s visited, attendees have raved about the full immersion into their favorite series.
Anna Kate Mohler says she comes from the world of improvisation. For Andy Zacharias, his background is in music composition. Together, the two have bridged their experiences for the Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company—a space for children to improvise, play games and create.Unlike other theater programs that typically produce Broadway musicals, at Jewel Box, children create their own performances, which can be anything from fun, to wac...
Anna Kate Mohler says she comes from the world of improvisation. For Andy Zacharias, his background is in music composition. Together, the two have bridged their experiences for the Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company—a space for children to improvise, play games and create.
Unlike other theater programs that typically produce Broadway musicals, at Jewel Box, children create their own performances, which can be anything from fun, to wacky, to just out-of-the-box, said Mohler and Zacharias.
While every culture has its traditions of storytelling—which include music, dance, movement and theatrics, all passed down over generations, allowing everyone to be part of it—theater, on the other hand, can typically have a greater barrier to entry. There is generally an understanding that extensive training is required and that everything must be perfect, said Mohler, the nonprofit’s executive and artistic director.
But at Jewel Box, the priority is to show kids that there’s more than one way to do theater, and it’s not about striving for perfection, Mohler said.
“Just having a space where people feel invited to do things that sometimes are seen as exclusive is important,” Mohler said.
Youth involved in a Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company program are able to fully embrace their own creativity, said Zacharias, operations and music director.
“I love writing music with the kids because they think of things that I would never think about,” Zacharias said. “As adults, we tell ourselves that we have to do certain things in a certain way. … But kids—there’s no box, they just come up with ideas.”
While Zacharias helps to guide the technical aspects of the songwriting process, such as arranging and coming up with chords, youth take the lead, he said.
“It’s such a blast,” Zacharias said.
At Jewel Box, it’s not uncommon to see kids go from, “‘I can’t sing,” to singing, or sometimes just sitting and observing for weeks until they are empowered to participate, Mohler said. “It’s all about permission and being there, being accessible.”
Mohler in particular understands how kids can have unique needs—her mom put her in theater as a child in response to an anxiety disorder.
“It really did … change my life. I don’t think I’d be able to do as much as I do today,” Mohler said. “When I see kids that are dealing with the same thing … and when they have a breakthrough moment of joy, where they’re just in it, and they’re enjoying themselves, those moments for me are just like, ‘OK, yeah, this is why we do what we do.’”
“That’s the best, when you see kids, just in community, you know, giggling and laughing and enjoying life instead of being scared of everything, because this is a scary world,” Mohler added. “It’s a very different world kids need—they need more light. They need more permission to have fun.”
On any given week, Jewel Box can be found at an after-school program with the Long Beach Unified School District, teaching a community class at the Signal Hill Library, or sometimes putting on a workshop with the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, TCC Family Health, Young Horizons, the Long Beach Symphony or the Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, just to name a few of the organization’s community collaborations.
”This is kind of something we pride ourselves in, is always being there,” Zacharias said.
Part of the nonprofit’s mission is to build bridges in the community, and since its 2016 founding, it has grown to become an accessible space for young creatives with an emphasis on equity.
While, like most organizations, Jewel Box switched to virtual programming at the start of the pandemic, it did not return to its in-person offerings until this past December. But since then, it has continued to offer online classes.
“There will always be kids that cannot come and take a class in person,” Mohler said. “If we’re talking about being accessible, we need to be available to kids online.”
The bulk of Jewel Box’s programming is free and grant-supported, apart from its conservatory program, which is offered each summer at the Long Beach Playhouse. However, no student has ever been turned away from the conservatory due to not being able to pay, Mohler said.
Now, Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company is stepping into its next growth opportunity—a home of its own, which Mohler and Zacharias recently secured in West Long Beach.
The new location is located in the heart of where much of Jewel Box’s work has taken place. It is in close proximity to Cabrillo High School, Hudson and Garfield elementary schools, and Admiral Kidd Park.
“We know that it’s the right place to be,” Mohler said. “I’m super excited to see what we’re able to pull off now.”
Since signing their lease last month, work has been underway to get the space ready for rehearsals and workshops. Mohler and Zacharias are hoping to have a soft opening this summer.
Eventually, the plan will be to leave the organization to one of its students—in the meantime, the focus is on building up an organization that would be “awesome to inherit,” Mohler said.
Having a safe space to commune and create is not only healthy and “good for the soul,” but is an essential community resource, Mohler and Zacharias said.
“You leave your stuff at the door, you know? It’s a good place to find common ground and to be artistic at the same time,” Mohler said.
“To see kids together, making discoveries—that, to me is just everything,” Mohler said.
Follow the Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company on Instagram for more information. To volunteer, fill out this form.
The Long Beach Utilities Department is planning to reinstate utility shutoffs in August for residents who are behind on their payments, according to a recent memo, citing the city’s financial inability to continue the coronavirus-era relief policy.Long Beach terminated its own local state of emergency relating to COVID-19 in February. Los Angeles County and the state of California...
The Long Beach Utilities Department is planning to reinstate utility shutoffs in August for residents who are behind on their payments, according to a recent memo, citing the city’s financial inability to continue the coronavirus-era relief policy.
Long Beach terminated its own local state of emergency relating to COVID-19 in February. Los Angeles County and the state of California followed shortly after, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declaring the nationwide emergency over last week.
As a result, a bulk of the temporary financial relief programs — along with additional federal and state funding — aimed at supporting people and businesses hit hardest by the pandemic, have come to an end.
The Long Beach Utilities Department, meanwhile, said in a memo this week that it would be financially “unsustainable” to continue the temporary utility shutoff suspension, which went into effect in 2020.
“Substantial bill payment assistance has been provided to support families and small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic,” the memo said. “However, with the emergency now over, accruals carried by local governments on behalf of private account holders have become unsustainable.”
There is currently a debt of about $6.3 million in unpaid natural gas bills, $2.1 million in unpaid water bills, $3.8 million in unpaid trash and sewer services; and another $283,000 in sewer services in Long Beach, the memo said.
“The city has carried these utility balances for nearly three years,” the memo said. “In total, $12.7 million in overdue water, natural gas, refuse, and sewer utility bills exists in (Long Beach) – with the city, and ultimately other utility customers, bearing the full cost of nonpayment.”
The Utilities Department is planning to resume utility shutoffs on Aug. 15, the Monday, May 15, memo said, in an effort to recoup some of those costs.
But before doing so, officials are planning to conduct an outreach campaign over the next few months in an effort to give past-due rate payers a chance to catch up, or at least, to prepare. The department will also send out multiple notifications before they shut off anyone’s utilities.
The department still has several payment assistance plans, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides eligible low-income households with a one-time direct utility bill payment a year.
There are also payment plans and discount programs available for low-income residents, seniors and people with disabilities. More information about those is available on the Utility Department’s website, or by calling 562-570-5700.
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