Winter shutoff protections for customers behind on heating bills do not start on the same day everywhere. New Jersey and Georgia both begin theirs Nov. 15, a Sunday, and run to March 15, while Missouri’s Cold Weather Rule has been in effect since Nov. 1 and lasts through March 31. In all three states the protection comes with conditions.
For anyone already behind on a gas or electric bill, the question is whether the hold starts on its own or has to be asked for. In New Jersey the state’s instruction is to call the utility, in Georgia a written payment agreement is part of the rule, and in Missouri the rule turns on temperature and on the type of utility. The details differ enough that the wrong assumption can end in a disconnection notice…