Help paying your electric bill in Rhode Island
Rhode Island got $26.8 million in the HHS table, about $61 for each of its 436,902 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 855-697-4347. Heating help reached 28,234 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island LIHEAP public line855-697-4347
- State program sitedhs.ri.gov/Programs/HEAPProgramInfo.php
- Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission401-941-4500 · ripuc.ri.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Rhode Island
Rhode Island: cold weather by dates; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 1 - April 15 No disconnects for customers that are unemployed, elderly or handicapped, LIHEAP recipients, seriously ill, or living with an infant under 2 years of age and facing financial hardship. |
| Hot temperature | No disconnects for any customers during a heat advisory or excessive heat warning |
| Health or age needs | 21 day disconnect delay if a household member is seriously ill, which may be extended. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Public Utilities Commission Consumer Protection; Shut Off Protections.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 810-RICR-10-00-1 (Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Service), esp. 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.9, 1.17(F). RI rules bar most winter shut-offs Nov 1-May 1 (balance under $500 if primary heat) and all shut-offs for Protected Status customers during that period. Heat advisory or excessive heat warning days also bar termination. 10 days' mailed notice is required, plus physician-certified serious illness delay of at least 3 weeks. Quote: “shall not terminate the service of any residential customer for non-payment on those days for which the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory”. Source: text of the rule (state official (RI Secretary of State Code of Regulations)).
| Point | Rhode Island: 810-RICR-10-00-1 (Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Service), esp. 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.9, 1.17(F) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Moratorium period Nov 1 to May 1 (amended to May 1 effective 6/23/2025). During it, no gas/electric utility may terminate residence where service is primary heat source unless delinquent balance exceeds $500 (or $200 if not primary heat); Protected Status Customers cannot be terminated at all in that period. |
| Heat | Summer moratorium (1.17(F)): no termination of any residential customer for nonpayment on days NWS has issued a heat advisory or excessive heat warning for Rhode Island. |
| Who is protected | Protected Status: unemployed (receiving unemployment compensation), elderly or handicapped, LIHEAP recipients, seriously ill, or household with child under 2 and financial hardship. Seriously ill with physician certification: no disconnection; termination date not less than 3 weeks from receipt of written certification. Elderly (all adults 62+) or handicapped households need Division approval to terminate. |
| Notice | Written notice mailed to be received at least 10 days before disconnection; no disconnection Fri/Sat/Sun, legal holidays or day before, or outside 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Notice must state ground, date, utility contact, right to Division review (1.5, 1.6). |
| Payment plan | Utilities must offer a 10- or 12-month budget payment plan and inform customers; customer may instead settle balance over up to 6 months with minimum $25/month; detailed deferred plans in 1.10 (not read in full). |
| Who the rule covers | 1.3(A): all individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, municipalities and cooperatives under PUC jurisdiction that operate electric, gas or water utilities in RI; residential customers only. |
| Complaints | Reviewing Officer, Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick RI (rule notice text gives 780-9700 / sample (401) 780-9700); hearing available. |
Did not read 1.10 payment plan detail, 1.12-1.15 hearing procedures, or RI General Laws 39-1-63.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Rhode Island: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Rhode Island | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $26,792,128 = $23,458,656 + $610,342 IIJA + $2,723,130 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 60% State Median Income | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $50 minimum, $861 maximum Winter Crisis: $1,500 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 28,234 Cooling: 27,033 Winter Crisis: 3,869 Weatherization: 721 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - April 15 Winter Crisis: October 1 - April 15 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVRhode Island in numbers
- Rhode Island ranks 5th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($61), 26th on households below the poverty line (11.9%) and 28th on low-income energy burden (8.9%).
- Per household below the poverty line (52,117 of them) the FY26 funds come to $514, rank 9th of 51: 26% of a typical year's electricity ($1,986). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 25,581 households got help in FY2022 against 124,012 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 21% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $678, 34% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - April 15. Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $59 (Massachusetts) to $64 (Connecticut); low-income burden from 8.5% (Massachusetts) to 10.1% (Connecticut). Rhode Island: $61 and 8.9%.
Am I likely eligible in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $86,372.
How heavy is the energy bill in Rhode Island?
8.9% of income in low-income households, 3.0% overall. Ranking, Rhode Island prices.
| Group | Count | Rhode Island detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 124,012 households | 8.9% of income; $1,943 a year on $21,896 | rank 28 of 51 |
| All households | 432,219 households | 3.0%; $3,010 on $99,598 | rank 6 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 52,117 households | 11.9% of 436,902 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 26 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 29.46 ¢/kWh | bill $166 a month at 562 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Rhode Island
None listed for Rhode Island in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
Rhode Island on the map
Next to Rhode Island
Connecticut, Massachusetts. Most FY26 funds per household: Connecticut, $64. Rhode Island: $61. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Rhode Island
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission sets rules).
- Call 855-697-4347 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, 401-941-4500.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Can Rhode Island utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; temperature for heat.
How big is the energy burden in Rhode Island?
8.9% of income for low-income households, 3.0% for all; $1,943 a year for the first group.
How many Rhode Island households got energy help?
25,581 in FY2022, 28,234 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $678.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Rhode Island bill?
$514 per poor household, 26% of $1,986.
How much LIHEAP money does Rhode Island get?
$26.8 million in FY2026, $61 per household, rank 5 of 51.
What income limit does Rhode Island use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $86,372; FY2022 heating standard 244% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Rhode Island?
Call 855-697-4347. Site: http://www.dhs.ri.gov/Programs/HEAPProgramInfo.php