What we verified in “Power or gas shutoff notice: your protections and next steps”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. USAGov explains that each state has a different policy on when utility companies can and cannot disconnect electricity or natural gas for non-payment, and that those policies may depend on the current weather in your area and on which utility provider you have.

   Sources 1 · Get help with energy bills, 'Find out who to contact if your utilities are disconnected': 'Each state has a different policy about when utility companies can and cannot disconnect your electricity or natural gas for non-payment'; 'The current weather in your area'; 'Which utility provider you have' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The CFPB says your landlord cannot force you out by changing the locks without a court order or fail to pay for utilities under their control, and that to talk with a lawyer you can contact your local bar association or legal aid.

   Sources 2 · Your tenant and debt collection rights, 'Report a bad landlord': 'Force you out by changing your locks without a court order'; 'Fail to pay for utilities under their control'; 'To talk with a lawyer, contact your local bar association or legal aid' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. According to the New York Attorney General, when the landlord of a multiple dwelling is delinquent on utility bills, the utility must give tenants advance written notice; service may not be cut if tenants pay the landlord's current bill directly to the utility, and they can deduct that payment from rent; the Public Service Commission can help.

   Sources 3 · Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide, 'Continuation of Utility Service' (Real Property Law §235-a; Public Service Law §33): 'When the landlord of a multiple dwelling is delinquent in paying utility bills, the utility must give advanced written notice to tenants'; 'Service may not be discontinued if tenants pay the landlord’s current bill directly to the utility company'; 'Tenants can deduct these charges from future rent payments'; 'The Public Service Commission can assist tenants with related problems' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. Under the Public Utility Commission of Texas rule for retail electric providers (REPs), when a master-metered apartment complex's bill is delinquent, the provider must tell the owner that tenants will be notified in six days, and at least four days before disconnecting must post at least five notices in English and Spanish in corridors or other public places of the complex, with the date and reason for the disconnection.

   Sources 4 · 16 Tex. Admin. Code §25.483(k): 'When a bill for electric service is delinquent for a master-metered apartment complex'; 'notice of possible disconnection will be provided to the tenants of the apartment complex in six days if payment is not made before that time'; 'at least four days before disconnecting, the REP must post a minimum of five notices in English and Spanish in conspicuous areas in the corridors or other public places of the apartment complex' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. Under the Texas rule for retail electric providers (REPs), a disconnection notice for non-payment may not be issued before the first day after the bill is due; it must be a separate mailing (or a separate email if you agreed to that) with a stated disconnection date; that date may not be a holiday, weekend day or day payments cannot be taken, and must be at least ten days after the notice is issued; and the notice must say you may be able to make an alternate payment arrangement, set up a deferred payment plan or get payment assistance.

   Sources 4 · 16 Tex. Admin. Code §25.483(l): 'not be issued before the first day after the bill is due'; 'be a separate mailing or hand delivered notice with a stated date of disconnection'; 'have a disconnection date that is not a holiday, weekend day, or day that the REP's personnel are not available to take payments, and is not less than ten days after the notice is issued'; 'the customer may be able to make some alternate payment arrangement, establish a deferred payment plan, or possibly secure payment assistance' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. In Texas, a retail electric provider may not disconnect for non-payment the individually metered home of a Critical Care Residential Customer when the customer shows disconnection would make someone at the residence seriously ill or more seriously ill; to do so, before the disconnection date, the person's physician must contact the provider and send a written statement, and the customer must enter a deferred payment plan; the protection lasts 63 days from the issuance of the bill.

   Sources 4 · 16 Tex. Admin. Code §25.483, 'Critical Care Residential Customers': 'when that customer establishes that disconnection of service will cause some person at that residence to become seriously ill or more seriously ill'; 'contact the REP to confirm that the customer is a Critical Care Residential Customer'; 'submit a written statement to the REP confirming that the customer is a Critical Care Residential Customer'; 'Enter into a deferred payment plan'; 'lasts 63 days from the issuance of the bill for electric service' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. In Texas, a retail electric provider may not disconnect any customer for non-payment in a county with an extreme weather emergency: a day when the previous day's high did not exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit and is predicted to stay at or below it for 24 hours, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory; and it must offer a deferred payment plan, on request, for bills that come due during the emergency.

   Sources 4 · 16 Tex. Admin. Code §25.483(j): 'must not authorize a disconnection for nonpayment of electric service for any customer in a county in which an extreme weather emergency occurs'; 'A REP must offer residential customers a deferred payment plan upon request'; 'the previous day's highest temperature did not exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit'; 'the NWS issues a heat advisory for a county' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. In Texas, a retail electric provider may not disconnect a residential customer for non-payment during a billing period in which it receives a pledge or other notice that an energy assistance provider is forwarding enough payment to continue service, if it arrives by the due date on the disconnection notice and the customer pays or arranges to pay what the agency does not cover.

   Sources 4 · 16 Tex. Admin. Code §25.483, 'energy assistance clients': 'must not authorize a disconnection for nonpayment of electric service to a delinquent residential customer for a billing period in which the REP receives a pledge, letter of intent, purchase order, or other notification that the energy assistance provider is forwarding sufficient payment to continue service'; 'is received by the due date stated on the disconnection notice'; 'either pays or makes payment arrangements to pay any outstanding debt not covered by the energy assistance provider' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. Under the Florida Public Service Commission rule for electric utilities, a utility may disconnect for non-payment only after a diligent attempt to have the customer comply, with at least 5 working days' written notice separate from the bill; the customer may designate a third party to receive a copy; the notice must say you can complain to the utility and to the Commission at 1(800) 342-3552; it may not disconnect a residential customer between noon Friday and 8 a.m. Monday or the day before a holiday; and a previous occupant's debt is not a reason to cut you off, unless the current customer lived there when the debt arose and the previous customer still lives there and benefits from the service.

   Sources 5 · Fla. Admin. Code R. 25-6.105(5), (8) and (10): 'only after there has been a diligent attempt to have the customer comply, including at least 5 working'; 'such notice being separate and apart from any bill for service'; 'those customers who so desire may designate a third party'; 'register their complaint with the utility's customer relations personnel and to the Florida Public Service Commission at 1(800) 342-3552'; 'No utility shall discontinue service to any non-commercial customer between 12:00 noon on a Friday and 8:00 a.m. the following Monday'; 'Delinquency in payment for service by a previous occupant of the premises unless the current applicant or customer occupied the premises at the time the delinquency occurred' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. In Florida, each electric utility must file, as part of its tariff, a procedure for discontinuing service when that service is medically essential.

    Sources 5 · Fla. Admin. Code R. 25-6.105(11): 'Each utility shall submit, as a tariff item, a procedure for discontinuance of service when that service is medically essential' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. Under the Arizona Corporation Commission rule for electric utilities, a utility may not cut off a customer for a prior customer's debt at the address unless that customer still lives there; before disconnecting a residential customer who cannot pay, it must tell the customer about funds from government and social assistance agencies, notify any designated third party and, at least 48 hours ahead, have sent at least two written notices and called; it may not disconnect unless its call center and offices are open that day and the next; and it may not disconnect if the customer paid at least half of the delinquent balance in the last 25 days or owes $300 or less.

    Sources 6 · Ariz. Admin. Code R14-2-211(A)(1), (6), (14) and (15): 'A utility shall not terminate service to a customer due to delinquency in payment for services rendered to a prior customer at the service address'; 'unless the prior customer continues to reside at the service address'; 'The utility has informed the customer of the availability of funds from various government and social assistance agencies'; 'At least 48 hours before the date upon which termination is scheduled to occur'; 'Provided at least two written notices of the termination'; 'Telephoned the customer'; 'unless the utility's call center and office or business facilities are open and available to the public on the day of termination and the day following the day of termination'; 'if the customer has paid at least half of the customer's delinquent bill balance within the last 25 days or if the customer's delinquent bill balance is less than or equal to $300.00' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. In Arizona, a utility may not disconnect residential service to a customer who cannot pay if the customer shows each year, with documentation from a licensed medical practitioner, that disconnection would be especially dangerous to the health of someone who lives there or that medically necessary equipment in the home depends on the service; and the utility may require a deferred payment agreement within seven business days.

    Sources 6 · Ariz. Admin. Code R14-2-211(A)(5) and (A)(9): 'A utility shall not terminate residential service to a customer who has an inability to pay if the customer establishes, on an annual basis, through documentation from a licensed medical practitioner'; 'termination would be especially dangerous to the health of the customer or a permanent resident'; 'there is medically necessary equipment used in the home that is dependent on utility service for operation'; 'enter into a deferred payment agreement with the utility within seven business days' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. In Arizona, each electric utility must adopt one of two protections: no disconnections when the National Weather Service forecast shows temperatures that do not exceed 32 °F or that exceed 95 °F, or other weather the Commission finds dangerous; or no disconnections from June 1 through October 15 each year; in that second case, it may not charge late fees or interest on past-due amounts from that period.

    Sources 6 · Ariz. Admin. Code R14-2-211(A)(11) and (13): 'A utility shall adopt only one of the following conditions under which it shall not terminate residential service'; 'Will include temperatures that do not exceed 32'; 'Will include temperatures that exceed 95'; 'During the calendar days of June 1 through October 15 of each year'; 'Not charge the customer any late fees or assess any interest on any past due amounts' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. The Arizona Corporation Commission says to always contact the utility first; that its staff can investigate disputes about installations or disconnections by regulated utilities, but not complaints against landlords about utility disconnections or about municipally owned utilities; that complaints can be made by phone, letter, email or in person; and that if there is no agreement the parties may agree to mediation.

    Sources 7 · Consumer Services: 'You should always contact the utility first to see if they can help solve your problem'; 'Installations or disconnections'; 'Complaints against landlords/property owners concerning high bills or disconnection of utility services'; 'Complaints regarding municipally-owned utilities'; 'Complaints can be submitted by telephone, letter, email or in person'; 'you and the utility may agree to mediate the issue' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under New York Public Service Commission rules, a utility may terminate residential service for non-payment only after sending a final notice at least 15 days before the termination date, and that notice must state the earliest termination date, how much must be paid and how to avoid termination, and the complaint procedures.

    Sources 8 · N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16, §11.4(a)(1)(v) and (a)(2): 'is sent a final notice of termination or disconnection no less than 15 days before the termination or disconnection date shown on the notice'; 'the earliest date on which termination or disconnection may occur'; 'the total amount required to be paid, and the manner in which termination or disconnection may be avoided'; 'the availability of utility procedures for handling complaints' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. In New York, a utility may not terminate or refuse to restore service when a medical emergency is certified by a doctor or the local board of health; the doctor may certify by phone if written certification follows within five business days; the certificate lasts 30 days and can be renewed if you show you cannot pay; for life-sustaining equipment, certification stays in effect while the conditions continue; and meanwhile the customer still owes the bills and must make reasonable efforts to pay.

    Sources 9 · N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16, §11.5(a): 'No utility shall terminate, disconnect or suspend or refuse to restore service when a medical emergency, as certified by a medical doctor or local board of health, exists'; 'may be made by telephone and shall remain effective if written certification is provided thereafter to the utility within five business days'; 'The certificate shall be effective for 30 days'; 'the customer demonstrates an inability to pay charges for service'; 'requiring utility service to operate a life-sustaining device'; 'customers shall remain liable for payment of utility service and shall make reasonable efforts to pay charges' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. In New York, if the customer is blind, disabled or 62 or older, and everyone else in the household is 62 or older, 18 or under, or blind or disabled, the utility must follow special procedures: try to reach an adult at home at least 72 hours before termination to work out a payment plan and, if that fails, notify the local department of social services.

    Sources 9 · N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16, §11.5(b): 'residential customer is known to or identified to the utility to be blind, disabled, or 62 years of age or older, and all the remaining residents of the household are 62 years of age or older, 18 years of age or under, or blind or disabled'; 'an adult resident at the customer's premises at least 72 hours prior to termination'; 'the utility shall notify the local department of social services' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. In New York, from November 1 to April 15, for heat-related service, the utility must try to reach the customer or an adult at home at least 72 hours before termination to learn whether anyone would suffer serious harm to health or safety, and must ensure communication if there is a language barrier; if someone would suffer serious harm, it may not terminate until it notifies social services and they report there is no such risk or that another way to protect the person has been found.

    Sources 9 · N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16, §11.5, cold weather periods: 'During the period beginning November 1st of each year and ending April 15th of the following year'; 'attempt to contact, by telephone or in person, the customer or an adult resident of the customer's premises at least 72 hours before the intended termination'; 'If communication with the person contacted is not possible because of an apparent language barrier, the utility shall take steps to assure communication'; 'No utility shall terminate, disconnect or suspend heat-related service for nonpayment where the utility ascertains that a resident is likely to suffer a serious impairment to human health or safety'; 'informs the utility that the reported condition is not likely to result in a serious impairment to health or safety' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. Under the federal LIHEAP law, each state's energy crisis program must provide some form of assistance that resolves the crisis no later than 48 hours after an eligible household applies, and no later than 18 hours if the household is in a life-threatening situation.

    Sources 10 · 42 U.S.C. §8623(c)(1)–(2): 'not later than 48 hours after a household applies for energy crisis benefits, provide some form of assistance that will resolve the energy crisis if such household is eligible'; 'not later than 18 hours after a household applies for crisis benefits'; 'is in a life-threatening situation' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. The CFPB says you can get year-round help with utility bills through your local LIHEAP office or by calling the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at (866) 674-6327, and that 211 can help you find resources for rent or utility bills.

    Sources 11 · Get help paying rent and bills: 'Get year-round help with utility bills by contacting your local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) office or calling the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at (866)-674-6327'; '211 can help you identify available resources' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) says that if you are late or unable to pay your bills on time it might be able to help, and it has information on restarting service after a shutoff.

    Sources 12 · Utility Bill Explanation, Pay-off Assistance, and Service Restart: 'If you are late with the bill payment or unable to pay bills on time, we might be able to help'; 'Restart services after shut-off' · Checked October 17, 2026