asset: utility-shutoff-moratorium-by-state

asset_type: threshold

body: Whether a utility can disconnect service for non-payment during winter, and under what conditions, varies by state on the exact season window, which utility types are covered, and whether an income test applies. Existing free summaries (e.g. energy-broker lead-gen sites) round this to 'most cold states ban Dec-Mar disconnects', which is not precise enough to answer a specific household's situation. Each record is one state and one class of utility — several states set a different window or income test for water than for electric and gas — carrying the exact moratorium window, covered utility types, and eligibility/income test if any, sourced from the state's own regulation or utility-commission order rather than a secondary summary. Answers 'can my gas get shut off in January in Pennsylvania', 'does New Jersey's winter shutoff protection cover water bills', 'what income level qualifies for winter shutoff protection in my state'.

key_field: state

licence: US state regulation / public agency order — facts not copyrightable (Feist, 1991)

title: Winter utility shutoff/disconnection moratorium by state

type: dataset


body:
**State:** Pennsylvania

**Citation:** 52 Pa. Code § 56.100

**Moratorium window:** December 1 through March 31

**Covered utilities:** City natural gas distribution utility

**Eligibility / income test:** a city natural gas distribution operation may terminate service after January 1 and before April 1 to a customer whose household income exceeds 150% of the Federal poverty level but does not exceed 250% of the Federal poverty level

> (b) Electric distribution and natural gas distribution utilities. Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, during the period of December 1 through March 31, an electric distribution utility or natural gas distribution utility may not terminate service to customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level except as provided in this section or in § 56.98. The Commission will not prohibit an electric distribution utility or natural gas distribution utility from terminating service in accordance with this section to customers with household incomes exceeding 250% of the Federal poverty level. (c) City natural gas distribution utility. In addition to the winter termination authority in subsection (b), a city natural gas distribution operation may terminate service after January 1 and before April 1 to a customer whose household income exceeds 150% of the Federal poverty level but does not exceed 250% of the Federal poverty level, and starting January 1, has not paid at least 50% of charges for each of the prior 2 months unless the customer has done one of the following:

Source: <https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/052/chapter56/s56.100.html&d=reduce>

covered_utilities: City natural gas distribution utility

moratorium_window: December 1 through March 31

state: Pennsylvania

title: Pennsylvania — winter shutoff moratorium for city natural gas distribution utilities

type: threshold


body:
**State:** Pennsylvania

**Citation:** 52 Pa. Code § 56.100

**Moratorium window:** December 1 through March 31

**Covered utilities:** Electric distribution and natural gas distribution utilities

**Eligibility / income test:** customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level

> (b) Electric distribution and natural gas distribution utilities. Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, during the period of December 1 through March 31, an electric distribution utility or natural gas distribution utility may not terminate service to customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level except as provided in this section or in § 56.98. The Commission will not prohibit an electric distribution utility or natural gas distribution utility from terminating service in accordance with this section to customers with household incomes exceeding 250% of the Federal poverty level.

Source: <https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/052/chapter56/s56.100.html&d=reduce>

title: Pennsylvania — winter shutoff moratorium for electric and natural gas distribution utilities


body:
**State:** New Jersey

**Citation:** Winter Termination Program (WTP)

**Moratorium window:** November 15, 2025, through March 15, 2026

**Covered utilities:** electric, gas, water, and sewer services

**Eligibility / income test:** recipients of any of the following assistance programs: Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) General Assistance (GA) benefits Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline Credit Program

> Running from November 15, 2025, through March 15, 2026, the program prevents disconnecting electric, gas, water, and sewer services for qualifying residential customers, ensuring that vulnerable customers facing financial hardship maintain access to heat, power, and water throughout the winter season. "For more than two decades, the Winter Termination Program has been a critical safety net for New Jersey families during the most challenging months of the year," said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. "This program reflects our commitment to ensuring that no New Jerseyan has to choose between paying their utility bills and meeting other essential needs during the winter months. We encourage all eligible residents to contact their utility providers today to secure this vital protection." Since its formal establishment for electric and gas utilities in 2008—building on earlier protections dating back to at least 2003—the Winter Termination Program has provided critical assistance to hundreds of thousands of New Jersey households. During the 2024-2025 winter approximately 283,738 gas, electric, sewer and water customers were protected under WTP. In 2021, the program was significantly expanded when Governor Phil Murphy formally extended WTP shutoff protections to residential water and sewer customers under the NJBPU’s jurisdiction and created WTPs for electric, water and sewer customers under the NJDCA’s jurisdiction, creating a comprehensive, statewide approach to prevent all essential utility disconnections during winter months. New Jersey Among States Leading Winter Utility Protection Efforts New Jersey is part of a growing number of states that recognize the critical importance of preventing utility shutoffs during cold weather months. Similar seasonal protection programs exist across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions, reflecting a nationwide commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from losing heat and essential services during winter. "New Jersey's Winter Termination Program stands as a model among state utility protection initiatives," added President Guhl-Sadovy. "While each state tailors its program to local conditions and needs, we all share the same fundamental goal: ensuring that no family loses access to heat, power, or water during the winter months. New Jersey's comprehensive approach—covering electric, gas, water, and sewer services—represents one of the most expansive protections in the nation." "We are here to help New Jersey families navigate these challenging times,” said NJDCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suarez. “Whether through the Winter Termination Program, LIHEAP, or our other assistance programs, we have resources available to ensure that residents can keep their homes warm and their utilities this winter,” she said. Who Is Eligible? New Jersey residents may qualify for the Winter Termination Program if they are recipients of any of the following assistance programs: Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) General Assistance (GA) benefits Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline Credit Program

Source: <https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/2025/approved/20251114.html>

citation: Winter Termination Program (WTP)

state: New Jersey

title: New Jersey — winter shutoff moratorium for electric, gas, water and sewer service


body:
**State:** Pennsylvania

**Citation:** 52 Pa. Code § 56.100

**Moratorium window:** December 1 through March 31

**Covered utilities:** Water distribution utilities

> (a) Water distribution utilities. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, during the period of December 1 through March 31, water distribution utilities subject to this subchapter may not terminate heat related service between December 1 and March 31 except as provided in this section or § 56.98 (relating to immediate termination for unauthorized use, fraud, tampering or tariff violations).

Source: <https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/052/chapter56/s56.100.html&d=reduce>

covered_utilities: Water distribution utilities

title: Pennsylvania — winter shutoff moratorium for water distribution utilities