Note: the information in this fact sheet is for people who pay directly to the gas or electric company for their heat. If you pay a landlord separately or if you pay on a shared meter, see our fact sheet Shared Utility Meters.
If you don't pay your utility bills, your service can be shut-off. This can happen even in the middle of winter. But, between October 1 and April 30 you get extra protection from being shut-off. This fact sheet applies to gas and electric service if they are needed for heat. The rules cover private utility companies. There are similar rules for co-ops and municipal utilities. These rules do not apply to fuel oil, coal, and wood dealers.
You also have some legal protection against shutoffs of your electricity if you have medical equipment in the home that has to be plugged in. This might be something like a nebulizer for asthma or a CPAP for sleep apnea.