Click state names for more information on disconnect policies
State |
Vulnerable Population Policies |
Source |
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| Alabama | "Each utility shall adopt, and follow, reasonable tariff rules governing its termination of service practices (except telephone toll service) when life or health may be threatened by termination, the customer requires special consideration because of age or handicap, or other circumstances warranting special consideration." - (General Rules of the Alabama Public service Commission Rule 12(E)). | General Rules of the Alabama Public Service Commission |
| Alaska | "If a utility has been informed that a residence is occupied by a person seriously ill, elderly, with a disability, or dependent on life support systems, the utility shall provide the notice required by (1) of this subsection at least 30 days before the scheduled date of disconnection." | Alaska Administrative Code - Disconnection of Services |
| Arkansas | “An electric or gas utility cannot suspend service to a customer who is identified as 65 years or older or handicapped if the National Weather forecast predicts a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit will occur during the next twenty-four hours.” | Arkansas Suspension of Service |
| California | “A customer must obtain a signature on a pre-printed form from a licensed physician or other health care provider certifying as to the customer’s condition. Each of the utilities have processes in place to protect customers who have taken steps to have themselves identified as life support or critical care i.e., where service termination could be life threatening." | Public Power Safety Shutoffs - CPUC |
| Colorado | "A utility shall postpone discontinuance of electric service to a residential customer for 90 days from the date of a medical certificate issued by a Colorado-licensed physician, health care practitioner acting under a physician's authority, or health care practitioner licensed to prescribe and tread patients which evidences that service discontinuance will aggravate an existing medical emergency or create a medical emergency for the customer or a permanent resident of the customer's household." | |
| Connecticut | "A person or any resident of the person's home who is seriously ill, as certified by a registered physician[...], or has a life threatening situation[...] "Life threatening situation" means a condition certified by a registered physician that would endanger the life of the customer or a member of the customer's household if gas or electric service were terminated" | https://eregulations.ct.gov/eRegsPortal/Browse/RCSA/Title_16Subtitle_16-3Section_16-3-100/ |
| Delaware | "That if any occupant of the dwelling unit is so ill that termination of the utility service would adversely affect health or recovery, which fact has been certified by a statement from any licensed Delaware physician or any accredited Christian Science practitioner, when such certification is received by the covered utility or its employee, termination of service is prohibited by Delaware Law." | 3002 Regulations of Termination of Service During Extreme Conditions |
| District of Columbia | "A Utility shall postpone the Disconnection of service for a reasonable time not to exceed twenty-one (21) Days if the Utility is provided with a physician's certificate or notice from a public health official which states that Disconnection would be detrimental to the health and safety of a bona fide occupant of the premises." | |
| Idaho | "No utility can shut off service is you provide the utility with a certificate from your doctor or public health official with medical training, stating that a serious illness or medical emergency exists or could be created for any permanent member of your household if your service is shut off." | Utility Information Factsheet |
| Indiana | "The utility must postpone a disconnection for 10 days if you provide a medical statement from a licensed doctor or a public health official." | |
| Iowa | "If a permanent resident of a household has a serious health issue, electric, natural gas, and telephone utility disconnection can be postponed for 30 days. However, the utility may require a statement of health from a physician or a public health official." | Iowa Utilities Board |
| Kansas | "Discontinuance would be especially dangerous to the health of the customer, resident member of the customer's family or other permanent resident of the premises where service is rendered." | |
| Kentucky | "Presentation of medical certificate to stop interruption of service." | |
| Maine | "Basic service is required for residential customers when a medical emergency necessitates a continuation of service." | |
| Maryland | "A gas and/or electric utility may not terminate service to occupants of residential buildings for nonpayment of bills unless the utility first certifies to the Commission by an affidavit, filed at least 24 hours before the termination, that the termination does not constitute a threat to the life or health of the residential occupants." | |
| Massachusetts | "If you are experiencing financial hardship and one of the following applies, your electric or gas cannot be shut off without permission from the DPU: You, or someone in your home, is seriously ill[...]" | Utility Shut Offs |
| Michigan | "If a customer has an ongoing medical condition where the loss of utility service would be immediately life threatening, a utility must restore service or refrain from shutoff of service for nonpayment." | |
| Minnesota | "If the loss of utility service could lead to a medical emergency in your home, you should advise the utility of your medical condition. Ask the utility if it has special paperwork for you to fill out to exercise your rights under this law. You should be prepared to provide the utility with a note from a medical professional explaining your medical condition and how it would be affected or how an emergency could arise with the loss of service." | |
| Mississippi | "[Sixty] day disconnect extension with a written note from a medical doctor that certifies that disconnection would create a life threatening situation." | |
| Missouri | "Utilities must postpone shut off for up to 21 days if the shut off would aggravate an existing medical emergency.” | Cold Weather Rule |
| Montana | No disconnects with a doctor's note confirming risk to health. | |
| Nebraska | "Sick or disabled customers may get a one-time 30-day extension with a doctor's note." | Nebraska Cold Weather Rule |
| Nevada | Disconnection delayed for 30 days with medical emergency | |
| New Hampshire | Written certification from a doctor prevents shutoff as long as customer enters into a payment plan, applies for 60 days and can be renewed indefinitely. | |
| New Jersey | Disconnection delayed for up to three months if physician certifies that health of household member would be adversely affected. Customer must enter into a payment plan. | NJ Admin Code 14:3-3A.2 |
| New York | If elderly, blind, or disabled, extra contact attempts must be made before shutoff. | Utilities Consumer Rights |
| North Carolina | No disconnects for the elderly in winter. | Termination of Utility Service |
| Ohio | Thirty-day shutoff delay with doctor's note; doctor's note can also restore service within 21 days of shutoff and may be renewed up to three times within 12 months. | Disconnection procedures for electric, gas, and natural gas utilities |
| Oklahoma | Thirty-day shutoff delay with doctor's note of life-threatening situation | Electric Utility Rules |
| Oregon | Disconnection may be delayed by up to 6 months with a doctor’s note certifying a life-threatening situation and may be renewed at the end of 6 months. |
REVISED RULES TO BETTER PROTECT CUSTOMERS AT RISK OF UTILITY SERVICE DISCONNECTION |
| Pennsylvania | 30-day shutoff delay with doctors note, may be renewed twice. | Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act |
| Rhode Island | 21 day disconnect delay if a household member is seriously ill, which may be extended. | |
| South Dakota | 30-day delay with doctors note. | |
| Texas | No disconnections when it will cause a resident to become seriously ill or more seriously ill, lasts up to 63 days and can be renewed. | Texas Public Utilities Commission - 25.29 |
| Utah | 30-day disconnect delay if detrimental to health, must have physician certification. | |
| Vermont | 30-day disconnect delay if detrimental to health, must have physician certification, can be used for up to 3 thirty day periods within a year. | DISCONNECTION OF RESIDENTIAL GAS , ELECTRIC , AND WATER SERVICE |
| Virginia | Customers can file a Serious Medical Condition Certification Form to delay termination of service for 30-60 days | Limitations on service termination to residential customers |
| Washington | Medical emergency can delay disconnection for up to 60 days with one renewal | WAC Disconnection of Service |
| Wisconsin | Services must be reconnected during extreme heat events if a doctor confirms there is a medical issue in the household that will be aggravated by the heat | SERVICE RULES FOR ELECTRICAL UTILITIES |
