If you can’t afford an energy bill in the U.S., contact your utility today and ask about a payment arrangement, the exact status of any shutoff notice, and what amount or action could prevent disconnection. At the same time, check for state or local emergency assistance through LIHEAP. Neither an assistance application nor a shutoff protection automatically guarantees that service will stay on or be restored; rules, funding, and eligibility vary by state and provider.
What to do today
- Call your utility. Use the number on your bill or the provider’s official website. Explain what you can pay and when, and ask whether it offers a hardship plan or payment arrangement. Get the terms in writing if you agree to a plan.
- Confirm the shutoff status. If you have a disconnection notice, ask whether a shutoff is scheduled and the exact date. Ask what payment or other step is needed to avoid it, and whether the utility can place a hold while you apply for assistance. A hold or payment plan is provider-specific, so do not assume one has been granted until the utility confirms it.
- Apply for energy assistance promptly. Use USAGov’s energy-bill help page to find your state or territory’s LIHEAP office. Tell the office if you have a shutoff notice or service has already been disconnected.
When you contact the assistance office, ask whether crisis assistance is available, what documents are required, how to apply, and whether funds remain. Application windows and funding can change during the season; check current details with the official local administrator.
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Which programs may help with the bill?
LIHEAP: help with heating or cooling costs
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may help eligible households pay heating or cooling bills, and may offer emergency help during an energy crisis. Eligibility rules, application methods, benefit levels, and available funding vary by state or territory. Finding the local office through USAGov is the best starting point; the office can explain what is currently open and whether you may qualify.
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The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) may help income-qualified households make home improvements that reduce energy use. It is a longer-term option, not a substitute for responding to an imminent shutoff or paying a bill due now. Contact your state WAP office through USAGov’s state assistance links.
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Can your electricity or gas be shut off for nonpayment?
There is no single U.S. shutoff rule. Protections depend on the state or territory, utility, weather, and sometimes household circumstances such as age or disability. Check your state public utility or service commission’s guidance and ask your utility what applies to your account. A commission’s rules may not cover every provider: municipal utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and deliverable-fuel vendors may be treated differently.
The LIHEAP Clearinghouse’s policy overview, updated July 20, 2026, says 42 states have cold-weather disconnection protection policies. That count means some policy exists in those states; it does not mean every household or utility is covered. A restriction generally delays disconnection rather than canceling past-due amounts or future bills, so continue pursuing an arrangement and assistance while any protection applies. See the LIHEAP Clearinghouse overview of disconnection policies, then verify the current rule with your commission and provider.
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If the utility dispute is not resolved
First ask the utility to explain its decision and the available complaint process. If you still cannot resolve a dispute, contact the state public utility commission or service commission and confirm that it regulates your provider. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse recommends trying the utility first, then consulting the relevant commission when needed. Provider coverage and complaint procedures vary.
If your service has already been disconnected
Contact the utility and your local assistance agency as soon as possible. Ask the utility exactly what is required to restore service—such as a payment, an application, an inspection, or another step—and confirm the expected timing directly. Use USAGov’s state-specific assistance route to find local help and ask whether crisis assistance is available. Applying for aid does not automatically reconnect service.
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Why state details matter
Application schedules and protections can differ even among neighboring states. For example, Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program lists an application window of October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, for Program Year 2027 and describes winter moratorium protection for eligible applicants who have applied. Illinois announced a LIHEAP application season beginning October 1, 2026, with priority groups and a later start for other eligible households. These dates and rules apply to those states only; check your own state’s official administrator for its current program details.
Funding is not guaranteed even when a household appears eligible. California’s LIHEAP program describes bill assistance, crisis intervention, and weatherization, while noting that limited funds may be prioritized for households in greatest need. The state or local administrator can confirm whether applications are open and funds are available.
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