Past Due Utility Bill? How to Avoid Shutoff | LendUp

If you're past due on an electric, gas, or water bill and facing shutoff, programs exist specifically to help - and they're more widely available than assistance for rent or car repair. Utility companies, government programs, and local organizations can often cover part or all of the past-due amount. Work through the steps below before you borrow. You may not need to.

Before you call, have your account number, latest bill, any shutoff or disconnect notice, and your household income details ready.

• Ask for a payment extension: most utility companies will extend the due date if you call before shutoff. The extension may be a few days to a few weeks - you won't know unless you ask.
• Ask about a payment plan: many utilities offer plans that spread the past-due amount over several months on top of your regular bill. Some also offer budget billing that averages your annual usage into equal monthly payments - this prevents future spikes.
• Ask about hardship programs: many utility companies run their own customer assistance programs separate from government programs. These may offer bill credits, rate discounts, or one-time forgiveness. Ask specifically: "Do you have a hardship or customer assistance program I can apply for?"
• Ask whether a pending assistance application will pause shutoff: if you've applied for LIHEAP or another program (see Step 2), tell the utility company - many will delay disconnection while the application is being processed.

Before you apply, have your most recent utility bill, account number, proof of income, household size, and any shutoff notice ready.

• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): federally funded assistance specifically for home heating and cooling bills. Eligibility is income-based - typically 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of state median income, depending on the state. Apply through your local LIHEAP office or community action agency. Find your state's LIHEAP program. If you have trouble finding your local office, call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327.
• Call or visit 211: 211 connects you with local utility assistance, energy programs, and emergency bill help in your area. 211 often has the most current information on what's funded and accepting applications near you - programs change frequently, and 211 tracks what's active.
• For water and sewer bills: there is no permanent nationwide water assistance program equivalent to LIHEAP. Local and state programs may help - call 211 to check what's available in your area. Some water utilities also run their own hardship or discount programs.
• For phone bills: the federal Lifeline program offers a monthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying low-income households. For past-due phone bills specifically, call 211 to check for local assistance.
• Nonprofit and faith-based help: organizations like Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and local churches sometimes cover utility bills, especially during winter or extreme heat. Availability depends on location and funding - call 211 to find what's active near you.

If you've applied for LIHEAP or another program, tell your utility company right away - a pending application may delay shutoff while you wait for a decision.

You may have more time than you think. Several types of protections can delay or prevent shutoff - but they vary by state, utility type, and your situation. These are general patterns, not guarantees. Check with your utility or state utility commission for the rules that apply to you.

• Winter shutoff moratoriums: many states prohibit or restrict utility shutoffs during winter months for residential customers, or require extended notice periods. These vary by state and most commonly apply to electric and gas service.
• Medical emergency protections: if someone in your household has a medical condition that requires electricity or heating - oxygen equipment, dialysis, temperature-sensitive medication - most states require the utility to delay shutoff with a medical certificate from a doctor. Ask your utility about their medical certificate or serious illness program. Rules vary by state and are often narrower than people assume, so ask specifically what's required.
• Disconnect notice requirements: utilities are generally required to give written notice before shutoff - often 10–30 days depending on the state. If you haven't received a written notice, ask whether the shutoff is actually scheduled. The deadline may be further away than it feels.
• Low-income rate programs: some utilities offer permanently reduced rates for qualifying low-income customers. This won't fix the past-due amount, but it lowers your ongoing bill and reduces the chance of falling behind again.
• Municipal utilities and co-ops: if your provider is a municipal utility or co-op, state utility commission protections may not apply in the same way. Contact the provider directly to ask about their disconnection policies, payment plans, and hardship programs.

If you've called the utility company, applied for assistance, and checked for protections and there's still a gap, borrowing may be the practical next step. Borrow only the remaining past-due amount - not future bills. If the past-due is $350 and LIHEAP covers $200, you need $150.

Match your gap to the right loan type:

Most utility past-due amounts fall under $500. If the gap is small enough to repay on your next payday without falling behind on next month's bill, a short-term loan with a flat fee may be the simplest option. But don't borrow if a LIHEAP or hardship application is still pending - the assistance may cover the gap without a loan.