What happens if I can't pay my gas bill?

What this means

• A late bill does not turn the gas off the next day. Every state requires written notice first, usually 10 to 15 days ahead.
• Most states also block winter shut-offs during cold months, and many block them for households where someone is over 62 or has a serious illness. This is a delay, not forgiveness — the balance keeps growing.
• Once gas is off, the company can charge a reconnection fee and may require a deposit, so it costs far less to act before the date on the notice.

What to do first

1. Call the number on the gas bill before the date printed on the shut-off notice and ask for two things by name: a deferred payment agreement and the company's hardship fund.
2. Apply for LIHEAP crisis help the same day and tell the worker you heat with gas and have a notice.
3. Ask your state utility commission's consumer hotline about the winter shut-off rule and any senior or medical protection where you live.
4. If your furnace is the reason the bill is high, ask about the Weatherization Assistance Program, which can repair or replace unsafe heating equipment at no cost.

What you'll need

• The shut-off notice with the disconnection date
• The account number from your gas bill
• Proof of income for the last 30 days
• A doctor's note if someone in the home has a medical condition that makes heat necessary

Where to go

• State LIHEAP contact list: https://acf.gov/ocs/map/liheap-map-state-and-territory-contact-listing — ask for the crisis or emergency program.
• Your state utility commission: https://www.naruc.org/about-naruc/our-mission/regulatory-commissions/ — the consumer division can tell you the exact shut-off rules where you live and can take a complaint if the company breaks them.