Massachusetts households behind on a gas or electric bill get a hard stop on heat shutoffs starting Nov. 15. From that date through March 15, state law bars gas and electric companies from cutting off service that heats a home when the household cannot pay because of financial hardship, and for this winter that hardship test covers a family of four earning up to $103,049 a year.
The protection is not automatic. A household has to tell its utility about the hardship and back it up with a form. But for those who do, the companies cannot send a termination notice or pull the plug on heat for the four coldest months of the year.
What the Law Says Starting Nov. 15
The rule comes from Chapter 164, Section 124F of the Massachusetts General Laws, which states that “No gas or electric company shall between November fifteenth and March fifteenth shut off gas or electric service” to a residential customer who has fallen behind because of financial hardship, when that service provides heat or runs the home’s heating system.
The Department of Public Utilities spells out the details in its billing regulations. Under 220 CMR 25.03, the winter protection applies when the customer cannot pay an overdue bill because of financial hardship, the service is used for heat, and the service had not already been shut off for nonpayment before Nov. 15. The regulation also says no termination notice may be issued between Nov. 15 and March 15 to a customer who has given notice of financial hardship, unless the department authorizes it…