Utility Shutoff Protection: Know Your Rights
Shutoff rules are set by each state and often by each utility. Here are the protections most states offer in some form, what to ask your utility for, and who else to call.
Utility shutoff rules come from states and individual utilities. There is no single federal law, so the rules depend on where you live and which company serves you. Most states have some form of these: limits on winter disconnections, a medical certificate hold for households with a serious illness or medical equipment, written notice before any shutoff, and payment plans. If you are facing a shutoff now, call your utility and ask for each of these by name, and call 2-1-1 for emergency help.
Many websites list exact dates and state counts for shutoff rules. Their figures disagree with each other, including on how many states have winter moratoriums, so we do not repeat one. This guide covers the protections found in most states and tells you who can confirm what applies to you.
Get Help Immediately
Call 2-1-1
The national helpline for emergency assistance, including utility shutoff crisis funds. Available in every state, free, and can connect you to same-day local help.
Call 2-1-1 →Apply for LIHEAP crisis assistance
Many states process LIHEAP crisis applications quickly for households with a shutoff notice. This is separate from the regular seasonal benefit.
Check LIHEAP Eligibility →Find your state's utility regulator
Your state's Public Utility Commission (PUC) sets and enforces disconnection rules, and handles complaints if a utility isn't following them.
Find Your State PUC →When you call your utility, ask about:
- A payment plan or arrearage forgiveness program
- A medical certificate (if anyone in the household has a serious illness or depends on powered medical equipment)
- Any senior-specific protection, deferral, or extra-notice policy
- Whether a winter (or, in hot climates, summer) moratorium currently applies
- Budget billing, to spread costs evenly across the year going forward
Who sets the rules. Each state's Public Utility Commission sets disconnection rules for investor-owned utilities. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives often set their own. Two neighbors served by different companies can have different protections.
What most states have in some form:
- Winter limits. Either fixed dates when shutoffs are restricted, or a rule based on forecast temperatures. Some states have a similar rule for extreme heat.
- Medical certificates. A doctor's note can delay a shutoff for a household with a serious illness or medical equipment that needs power. The delay is commonly 30 to 90 days, and renewal rules differ.
- Written notice. Nearly every state requires notice before disconnection. The number of days differs.
- Payment plans. Most utilities must offer one, or do so on request.
Protections tied to age. A smaller number of states and utilities have them. Michigan's Winter Protection Plan covers households with a member 65 or older during the heating season, and Montana's winter moratorium covers households with a member 62 or older. These are examples only. Do not assume your state has the same rule.
Call before the shutoff date. A payment plan or a hold is much easier to arrange while service is still on. After a disconnection, most utilities charge a reconnection fee and may ask for a deposit.
If the utility will not help. File a complaint with your state Public Utility Commission. Many commissions can put a disconnection on hold while they review a complaint. For municipal or cooperative utilities, ask the utility's board or your city or county office.
For help paying the bill, check the LIHEAP eligibility calculator and our guide to emergency financial assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my utility be shut off in winter?
Many states restrict winter shutoffs in some form. The months, the temperature triggers and the utilities and customers covered differ by state and by utility. Contact your state Public Utility Commission or your utility to find out what applies to you.
What is a medical certificate for utility shutoff protection?
It is a note from a doctor or other licensed medical professional confirming that someone in the household depends on electric or gas service for health reasons, such as medical equipment or an illness that requires heating or cooling. Most states offer this protection in some form. The delay is typically 30 to 90 days, and the renewal rules differ by state.
Do seniors get special utility shutoff protection?
In some states and with some utilities, yes. Examples include extra notice or a longer delay before service is cut to a household with an older member. These rules are not national, so confirm them with your state and your utility.
What should I do if I'm facing a shutoff right now?
Call your utility and ask about a payment plan, a medical certificate and any protections for older customers. Call 2-1-1 or apply for LIHEAP crisis assistance, which many states process quickly when a shutoff is close. If you believe the utility is breaking your state's rules, file a complaint with your state Public Utility Commission.
Does a utility have to warn me before shutting off service?
Generally yes. Most states require written notice before a utility disconnects service for non-payment, and the notice period differs by state. A shutoff with no warning is unusual, and you should report it to your state Public Utility Commission.
Disconnection rules are set by states and by individual utilities, and published sources disagree on basic facts such as how many states have each rule. This guide covers the common types of protection and gives two documented examples. It does not list dates or rules for every state. Confirm your rights with your state Public Utility Commission or your utility before you rely on this for a current shutoff notice.