AppUpdated October 13, 2026 · All 50 states and DC
Winter utility shutoff rules by state
Can your power or gas be shut off in winter? It depends on your state. Find yours below, then open your state page for programs, phone numbers and what to do today.
What to know first
- Protection isn't forgiveness. The bill still adds up during a winter ban, so ask for a payment plan anyway.
- Rules usually cover state-regulated utilities. City-owned utilities and co-ops may have their own rules. Ask yours.
- Apply for heating help now. LIHEAP money is often first come, first served. Call 1-866-674-6327 to find where to apply.
- Tell your utility about medical needs in writing. Many states give extra time when someone is seriously ill.
All states
| State | Winter protection | Medical protection |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama utilities can't shut off service when the temperature is 32°F or below. | Utilities must follow rules that protect customers when health or life may be threatened, or when age or disability calls for special consideration. |
| Alaska | Alaska has no statewide winter shutoff ban, so act before the due date. | If your utility knows someone in the home is seriously ill, elderly, disabled or on life support, it must give at least 30 days' notice before a shutoff. |
| Arizona | Arizona utilities can't shut off service when it's 32°F or below. In summer, electric companies must either avoid shutoffs on days 95°F or hotter, or pause shutoffs from June 1 to October 15. | See the state page. |
| Arkansas | From November 1 to March 31, Arkansas utilities can't shut off service on days the forecast is 32°F or below. | Electric and gas utilities can't cut service to customers 65 or older or with a disability when 95°F or hotter is forecast within 24 hours. |
| California | No statewide winter shutoff ban. Ask for a payment plan before the due date. | Utilities offer medical programs that can add protection. Tell your utility about serious medical conditions. |
| Colorado | Colorado utilities can't shut off service on days it's 32°F or below (or 95°F or above). | A medical certificate from a Colorado-licensed provider can delay a shutoff for 90 days. |
| Connecticut | Connecticut has winter shutoff protection from November 1 to May 1. Ask your utility whether you qualify (it usually depends on income or hardship). | A doctor can certify that someone in your home is seriously ill or has a life-threatening condition to stop a shutoff. |
| Delaware | From November 15 to March 31, Delaware utilities can't shut off service on days the forecast is 32°F or below. | A licensed Delaware doctor can certify that a shutoff would harm someone's health to prevent it. |
| Florida | No statewide winter or summer shutoff ban. Act before the due date and ask about LIHEAP crisis help. | See the state page. |
| Georgia | November 15 to March 15: no shutoff when the forecast is below 32°F (you must agree in writing to an installment plan). | See the state page. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii has no statewide weather-based shutoff rule, so act before the due date. | See the state page. |
| Idaho | Idaho has winter protections from December 1 through the end of February for households with children, seniors or someone who is ill who can't pay the full bill. You still need to pay what you can. Ask your utility. | A certificate from a licensed doctor or public health official can delay a shutoff for 30 days. |
| Illinois | December 1 to March 31: heat can't be shut off on days the forecast is 32°F or colder, and the utility must offer a deferred payment agreement first. | See the state page. |
| Indiana | From December 1 to March 15, Indiana protects households that qualify for energy assistance from heating shutoffs. Apply for EAP to get this protection. | A statement from a licensed doctor or public health official delays a shutoff for 10 days. |
| Iowa | From November 1 to April 1, Iowa protects households that qualify for LIHEAP or weatherization help from shutoffs. For everyone else, shutoffs aren't allowed when it's 20°F or colder. | A doctor's or public health official's statement about a serious health problem can delay a shutoff for 30 days. |
| Kansas | Kansas has a Cold Weather Rule from November 1 to March 31. Utilities can't shut off service when the forecast is 35°F or colder within 48 hours, and must offer a payment plan. | A shutoff can be stopped when it would be especially dangerous to someone's health. |
| Kentucky | Kentucky has no statewide winter shutoff ban, so act before the due date and apply for LIHEAP Crisis if you get a notice. | A medical certificate can stop a shutoff. |
| Louisiana | Louisiana utilities can't shut off service when it's 32°F or below, or during a National Weather Service heat warning. | See the state page. |
| Maine | From November 15 to April 15, Maine utilities need permission from the PUC before shutting off a home's heating service. Call the PUC if you get a notice. | Service continues when a medical emergency requires it. |
| Maryland | From November 1 to March 31, Maryland utilities can't shut off service on days the forecast is 32°F or below (or 95°F or above in summer). | Tell your utility if a shutoff would threaten someone's health. |
| Massachusetts | From November 15 to March 15, Massachusetts utilities can't shut off heat for households with financial hardship. Tell your utility and send proof (for example, a HEAP approval). | Households with financial hardship and someone seriously ill can't be shut off without DPU permission. |
| Michigan | Winter Protection Plan, November 1 to March 31, for people 65+, people getting food, Medicaid or cash help, and households at or below 150% of the poverty level. | See the state page. |
| Minnesota | Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule runs October 1 to April 30. Utilities can't shut off heat if you set up and keep a payment plan. Call your utility before the due date. | If a shutoff could cause a medical emergency, tell your utility and send a note from a medical professional. |
| Mississippi | From December 1 to March 31, Mississippi utilities can't shut off electric or gas service on days a freeze warning is in effect. No electric shutoffs during an excessive heat warning. | A doctor's written note that a shutoff would be life-threatening can delay it for up to 60 days. |
| Missouri | Missouri's Cold Weather Rule runs November 1 to March 31. Utilities can't shut off heat when the forecast is 32°F or colder, and must offer payment plans. Low-income seniors and people with disabilities who register and keep a payment plan get extra protection. | A shutoff can be delayed up to 21 days if it would worsen a medical emergency. |
| Montana | From November 1 to April 1, Montana utilities need PSC approval to shut off households below the poverty line, on public assistance, or with elderly or disabled members. | A doctor's note that a shutoff would harm someone's health stops it. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska has no date or temperature shutoff ban, but households can get a 30-day winter shutoff extension. Ask your utility. (Most Nebraska electric service is public power, so call your utility first.) | Customers who are sick or disabled can get a one-time 30-day extension with a doctor's note. |
| Nevada | NV Energy can't shut off service on very cold or very hot days. The limits depend on your area and are stricter for seniors and people with disabilities (for example, 20°F or colder, or 95°F or hotter in some cases). | A shutoff can be delayed 30 days for a medical emergency. |
| New Hampshire | From November 15 to March 31, New Hampshire utilities need PUC approval to shut off customers 65 or older or customers with a known financial hardship. | See the state page. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey's Winter Termination Program protects eligible households (such as those getting LIHEAP, USF, SSI or other assistance) from heating shutoffs from November 15 to March 15. Ask your utility to enroll you. | See the state page. |
| New Mexico | New Mexico has winter shutoff protections from November 15 to March 15 for qualifying households. Ask your utility and apply for LIHEAP. | See the state page. |
| New York | Utilities must give at least 15 days' notice, and shutoffs aren't allowed during a two-week period around Christmas and New Year's. | See the state page. |
| North Carolina | November 1 to March 31: protection for households with someone 65+ or disabled who qualify for energy assistance. | See the state page. |
| North Dakota | We didn't find a statewide winter shutoff ban in North Dakota, so act before the due date and apply for LIHEAP. | See the state page. |
| Ohio | Special Reconnect Order, October 12, 2026 to April 16, 2027: pay up to $175 plus a reconnection fee of no more than $36, and set up a payment plan for the rest. | See the state page. |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma utilities can't shut off service when the forecast is under 32°F. | See the state page. |
| Oregon | Oregon utilities can't shut off service when the forecast is 32°F or below. | See the state page. |
| Pennsylvania | Winter shutoff ban December 1 to March 31 for income-qualified customers. | A medical certificate can stop a shutoff for up to 30 days, with renewals. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island has winter shutoff protections from November 1 to April 15 for qualifying households (for example, those getting LIHEAP or with a serious illness). Ask your utility. | See the state page. |
| South Carolina | We didn't find a statewide winter shutoff ban in South Carolina, so act before the due date and apply for LIHEAP. | See the state page. |
| South Dakota | We didn't find a statewide winter shutoff ban in South Dakota, so act before the due date and apply for LIEAP. | See the state page. |
| Tennessee | We didn't find a statewide winter shutoff ban in Tennessee. Most Tennessee power comes from city utilities and co-ops, so call yours before the due date. | See the state page. |
| Texas | Electricity can't be cut off for non-payment during extreme weather emergencies (based on National Weather Service freeze and heat advisories). | If someone is ill or disabled, ask your provider about critical care or chronic condition status. |
| Utah | Utah has winter shutoff protection from November 15 to March 15 for HEAT-eligible households that make a good-faith effort to pay. | See the state page. |
| Vermont | Vermont utilities can't shut off service when it's below 10°F. For seniors, the limit is 32°F. | See the state page. |
| Virginia | Virginia utilities can't shut off service when extreme cold (below 32°F) or extreme heat (above 92°F) is forecast within 24 hours. | See the state page. |
| Washington | From November 15 to March 15, Washington utilities can't shut off heat for low-income households that sign up for and keep a winter payment plan. Ask your utility. | See the state page. |
| Washington, DC | DC utilities can't shut off service on days it's 32°F or below (or 95°F or above). | A doctor's certificate or public health notice can delay a shutoff for up to 21 days. |
| West Virginia | West Virginia utilities can't shut off service on days the National Weather Service predicts 32°F or colder. | See the state page. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin's winter moratorium runs November 1 to April 15. Regulated utilities can't shut off heating service for non-payment during that time. | See the state page. |
| Wyoming | Wyoming utilities can't shut off service when the forecast is below 32°F in the next 48 hours. | See the state page. |
Summaries only. Rules have conditions and exceptions, so open your state page and confirm with your utility or state utility commission.
Got a shutoff notice?
Here's what to do today, step by step, and how to get help with winter heating bills.
Sources
Checked October 13, 2026. Programs change their rules. Confirm with the program before you rely on a date or amount. Found something wrong? Email help@billhelpnow.com.
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