Can electric and gas companies shut off service during winter months?

What do you do when you are cash-strapped and behind on your electric and gas bills? It's an unfortunate dilemma for many Pennsylvanian families this time of year.

Looming utility shut offs can make for scary and stressful times, especially when we're facing sub zero wind chills and ice storms.

If you or someone you know is in this situation, here's what they can do to avoid a shut off.

UGI

Between December 1st and March 31st: Winter notice provisions require UGI to receive permission from the PUC prior to terminating service if the household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines -- This would be $30,350 for a family of one and $62,750 for a family of 4 .

In addition to the 10 day and 3 day notices, an additional (48 hour) notice will be posted at the property. UGI will not terminate service if the average temperature for the next 2 days is projected to be below 25 degrees. If the forecast includes cold weather alerts, storms, or dangerous travel advisories, UGI will suspend termination activities. UGI will stop winter termination if a customer calls in prior to termination and there is a child under the age of 12 or an adult over the age of 65 residing in the home.

PPL

PPL tells CBS21 News disconnection or termination of services is always a last resort and is easily preventable with a phone call.

PPL does not disconnect low income customers during the winter months (December 1st -March 31st) if a family is considered to be low income. Low income is defined as being at or below 250% of the federal poverty line.

The company says they do not disconnect on days under 20 degrees or on Fridays, so that people do not go the weekend without power.

MET ED

Met Ed says they will only shut utilities Monday through Thursday, as there is no one there to reconnect services on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

The company tells CBS21 they always give multiple notices, letters and calls before terminating service. Final notice is given 48 hours out either by phone or in person.

They restore power within 24 hours of settlement and will not turn off power if it is 20 degrees or colder, with info from NOAA.

The company tells CBS21 they never want to shut off utilities and that they offer many ways to pay or defer payments: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/assistance_serviceprogram/met-ed.html

For Furloughed Gov’t workers:

Their call center employees have received special training, and can direct customers to a billing plan, or a way to settle up. Met Ed won’t charge them late fees, and will generally push them towards a Budget Billing plan, spreading their costs over the entire year. Summers are a little more expensive, but then winters are a little less.

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