Got an electric shutoff notice? Five steps
A shutoff notice is a deadline, not a verdict. This checklist uses what the HHS Clearinghouse says about shutoff rules and what we read in rule text; it is not legal advice.
5 steps
- Read the notice. Write down the date shown, the amount, and who sent it. Keep the paper or a photo.
- Call the utility first. Ask for a payment plan, a delay, or bill-help programs. Note the date, the person's name and what was agreed, and ask for it in writing.
- Ask for energy assistance. Call your state LIHEAP line, the national line 1-866-674-6327, or 211. Crisis help exists in many states for people facing a shutoff.
- Ask about protections. Some states bar shutoffs in cold or hot weather or for people with health needs; they usually bind regulated utilities, not every co-op or city system. Ask your commission before you rely on one.
- Escalate in writing. If the utility will not work with you, complain to your state commission; the Clearinghouse suggests trying the utility first. Its phone and complaint form are on your state page.
What protections do and do not do
The Clearinghouse says most restrictions stop a shutoff during set dates or weather, that utilities keep billing during them, and that they do not reduce what you already owe, so a shutoff can follow when the restriction ends. Counting its file: 42 places list some cold-weather protection, 21 hot-weather protection, 3 extreme-weather rules and 45 protection for vulnerable groups.
We read the rule text itself for 49 of 51 places and name the source on each state page; the table column Rule text read shows which. The shutoff rules guide lists the rule, notice, winter and payment-plan points for every state with a confidence level.
Protections by state
| Alabama | temperature | none listed | no | yes | yes | Alabama Public Service Commission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | none listed | none listed | no | yes | yes | Regulatory Commission of Alaska |
| Arizona | temperature | dates and temperature | yes | no | yes | Arizona Corporation Commission |
| Arkansas | dates and temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Arkansas Public Service Commission |
| California | temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | California Public Utilities Commission |
| Colorado | temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Colorado Public Utilities Commission |
| Connecticut | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority |
| Delaware | dates and temperature | dates and temperature | no | yes | yes | Delaware Public Service Commission |
| District of Columbia | temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia |
| Florida | none listed | none listed | no | no | yes | Florida Public Service Commission |
| Georgia | dates and temperature | dates and temperature | no | yes | yes | Georgia Public Service Commission |
| Hawaii | none listed | none listed | no | no | no | Hawaii Public Utilities Commission |
| Idaho | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Idaho Public Utilities Commission |
| Illinois | dates and temperature | dates and temperature | no | yes | yes | Illinois Commerce Commission |
| Indiana | dates | temperature | no | yes | yes | Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission |
| Iowa | dates and temperature | none listed | no | yes | yes | Iowa Utilities Commission |
| Kansas | dates and temperature | none listed | no | yes | yes | Kansas Corporation Commission |
| Kentucky | none listed | none listed | no | yes | yes | Kentucky Public Service Commission |
| Louisiana | temperature | temperature | no | no | yes | Louisiana Public Service Commission |
| Maine | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Maine Public Utilities Commission |
| Maryland | dates and temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Maryland Public Service Commission |
| Massachusetts | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities |
| Michigan | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Michigan Public Service Commission |
| Minnesota | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Minnesota Public Utilities Commission |
| Mississippi | dates and temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Mississippi Public Service Commission |
| Missouri | dates and temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Missouri Public Service Commission |
| Montana | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Montana Public Service Commission |
| Nebraska | none listed | none listed | no | yes | yes | Nebraska Public Service Commission |
| Nevada | temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Public Utilities Commission of Nevada |
| New Hampshire | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission |
| New Jersey | dates and temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities |
| New Mexico | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | New Mexico Public Regulation Commission |
| New York | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | New York State Public Service Commission |
| North Carolina | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | North Carolina Utilities Commission |
| North Dakota | none listed | none listed | no | yes | yes | North Dakota Public Service Commission |
| Ohio | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Public Utilities Commission of Ohio |
| Oklahoma | temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Oklahoma Corporation Commission |
| Oregon | temperature | none listed | yes | yes | yes | Public Utility Commission of Oregon |
| Pennsylvania | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission |
| Rhode Island | dates | temperature | no | yes | yes | Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission |
| South Carolina | none listed | none listed | no | yes | yes | Public Service Commission of South Carolina |
| South Dakota | none listed | none listed | no | yes | yes | South Dakota Public Utilities Commission |
| Tennessee | none listed | none listed | yes | no | yes | Tennessee Public Utility Commission |
| Texas | temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Public Utility Commission of Texas |
| Utah | dates | none listed | no | yes | yes | Utah Public Service Commission |
| Vermont | temperature | none listed | no | yes | yes | Vermont Public Utility Commission |
| Virginia | temperature | temperature | no | yes | yes | Virginia State Corporation Commission |
| Washington | dates | temperature | no | yes | yes | Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission |
| West Virginia | temperature | none listed | no | no | yes | Public Service Commission of West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | dates | temperature | no | yes | yes | Public Service Commission of Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | temperature | none listed | no | yes | no | Wyoming Public Service Commission |
Summary flags from the Clearinghouse disconnect-policies file; open a state page for the criteria text.
CSVSources and dates
- HHS ACF LIHEAP Clearinghouse disconnect policies: policies updated April 2026
- 211.org
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice. Verify with your commission.
Questions
Can I be shut off with a medical condition?
Many states list protection for vulnerable groups, usually with a certificate or form; the table shows which, and the state page prints the criteria. Tell the utility early.
What if I cannot pay by the date?
Call before the date and ask for a payment plan or a delay, and ask for the terms in writing.
Is a shutoff protection the same as forgiveness?
No: the Clearinghouse says protections do not reduce what you owe.
Do these rules cover my co-op or city utility?
Often not; the Clearinghouse says commissions generally do not regulate municipal systems or co-ops. Ask your commission.
Where do I complain?
Your state commission after you try the utility first; the state page has phone and complaint form.
Can LIHEAP stop a shutoff?
It can pay part of a bill; crisis help is aimed at households facing shutoff. It is not instant or guaranteed.
Is this legal advice?
No. We summarise public sources and say where we did not verify.