La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 18, 2026 – Governor Jenniffer González-Colón, alongside Puerto Rico Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) Executive President Luis González, and Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli, announced today a special relief measure aimed at supporting federal employees on the island affected by the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Considering the lack of a funding agreement for DHS, the Government of Puerto Rico has implemented a coordinated extension on water bill payments, along with a moratorium on existing payment plans administered by the Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury.

“Through these actions, we seek to provide economic relief to federal employees who have not received pay, while recognizing the essential role they play in protecting and safeguarding our nation’s security,” stated Governor González- Colón.

Puerto Rico Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja added: “Our priority is to ensure that affected federal employees can meet their financial obligations without incurring additional charges or penalties, while also safeguarding their financial stability during the duration of the federal shutdown.”

For his part, PRASA Executive President Luis González emphasized: “Our priority is to ensure that all customers maintain access to an essential service such as water. In times like these, we seek to provide peace of mind to those who continue serving our island and the Nation amid uncertainty.”

Gabriella Boffelli, Executive Director of PRFAA, added: “Although the House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to fund DHS, consensus has not yet been reached in the Senate, affecting thousands of federal employees and their families. The Governor’s initiative is part of the broader efforts we continue to advance in Washington.”

The extension will apply to employees who can certify that they work for agencies under DHS, including:

·       U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

·       U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

·       U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

·       Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

·       Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

·       Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

·       United States Secret Service (USSS)

·       United States Coast Guard (USCG)

·       Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)

·       Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A)

To qualify for the benefit, employees must present official proof of federal employment, such as a valid ID or documentation verifying their agency affiliation.

In the case of PRASA, requests may be submitted through:

·       Email: ayudaempleadosfederales@acueductospr.com

·       Customer Service Call Center: 787-620-2482 (6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week)

·       PRASA Offices: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Once the information is validated, PRASA will apply an exception hold on the customer’s account, preventing service disconnection while the federal government shutdown remains in effect.

Department of the Treasury Measures:

The Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury has granted a moratorium on payment plans for any federal employee affected by the shutdown who currently maintains an active payment agreement.

Recognizing that employees may not be receiving full compensation, they will not be required to make payments during the moratorium period. Additionally, the Department will suspend automatic bank debits for covered installments and will not cancel payment plans due to noncompliance during this period.

To adjust the duration of each plan, the due date will be extended for a period equivalent to the length of the moratorium.

Requests and services may be managed through:

·       Phone: 787-620-2323 (Hacienda Responde)

·       Treasury Offices: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

·       Online Portal: www.hacienda.pr.gov (“Taxpayer Services” section)

The extension on water bills and Treasury payment obligations will have an initial duration of 60 calendar days, with the possibility of an additional 30 to 90-day extension if the situation persists. Upon the conclusion of the federal government shutdown impacting DHS, flexible payment alternatives will be offered to help customers and taxpayers become current without risk of service interruption.

Governor González Colón concluded by underscoring that the Government of Puerto Rico deeply recognizes the dedication of DHS employees who, even under difficult circumstances, continue working to safeguard the security and well-being of all.

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