NYS extends moratorium to prevent companies from disconnecting utilities Daily Orange File Photo The moratorium requires utility services to offer a “deferred payment agreement" and will expire either 180 days after New York state lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency or 180 days after Dec. 31. Facebook Subscribe to our newsletter here. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that would continue to prohibit utility companies — providers that supply and maintain electricity, water, gas, telephone, broadband and cable access — from disconnecting their services for customers who cannot afford them during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extended moratorium will expire either 180 days after New York state lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency or 180 days after Dec. 31, whichever date comes first, according to the press release.