Today, before anything else
- Read the notice for the shutoff date and the phone number. Pennsylvania's utility commission says calling the utility is the best first step.
- Call the utility and say you want help. PGW: (215) 235-1000. PECO: (800) 774-7040 for the assistance program, or (888) 480-1533 for payment arrangements. Water: (215) 685-6300.
- If the shutoff is close, call the state utility commission (PUC) at 1-800-692-7380 before the shutoff day. Filing a complaint before the shutoff day temporarily stops the shutoff while the PUC looks into it. Phone is the recommended way for shutoffs. You still have to keep paying your bills.
Then, work through these
1. Apply for grants (no repayment)
- LIHEAP heating grant and crisis grant. The 2026-27 season runs Nov 2, 2026 to Apr 23, 2027. Apply at compass.state.pa.us, at your county assistance office, or call (866) 857-7095. Crisis grants are for people facing a shutoff.
- UESF emergency grant (PECO, PGW, or water): (215) 814-6837 or utility@uesfacts.org. During LIHEAP season, apply for LIHEAP first.
- PGW Hardship Funds: apply in person at a Neighborhood Energy Center.
- PECO Customer Relief Fund: apply online at tinyurl.com/Apply-PECO-Relief. Check that it is still open.
Sources: CLS: prevent a PGW or PECO shutoff · PA DHS LIHEAP
2. Sign up for the low-income bill program
PGW's CRP and PECO's CAP lower your monthly bill and can erase old debt. Joining one may prevent a shutoff.
Use the checklist to see what to bring.
3. Ask for a payment arrangement
- Available to anyone, whatever the income. Don't agree to a plan you can't afford.
- If the utility turns you down, ask for the reason and call the PUC. Some households qualify for a payment agreement set by the PUC.
- PECO: (888) 480-1533. PGW: (215) 235-1777.
4. Medical certificate, if someone is seriously ill
- For a household member with a serious illness or medical condition that losing the utility would affect.
- It stops the shutoff for 30 days. More 30-day renewals may be possible.
- Call PECO or PGW and give your medical provider's fax number. The utility faxes the certificate to the provider.
Water is a little different
Philadelphia Water shutoff
- If you are at risk of a water shutoff, you get 30 days to submit the assistance application.
- The City says your water will not be shut off while your application is under review. Review takes about two months, and you are billed normal rates for water you use in the meantime, so pay what you can.
- Unpaid water bills can turn into a lien on your home. While you are on TAP and making your TAP payments, the City can't collect old bills, add new liens for them, or put the home up for Sheriff's Sale.
- Water and wastewater service is handled by the City, not the PUC. For help with a Sheriff's Sale or a denial, see the denial page.
Sources: City: apply for water bill assistance · CLS: TAP
Winter rules for gas and electric
December 1 to March 31
- During these months, utilities regulated by the PUC cannot shut off income-qualified households for unpaid bills unless the PUC gives permission.
- This protects people who qualify as low income. It does not erase what you owe, and you still need to apply for help.
- If you do lose service in the winter, the PUC says the utility restores it within 24 hours once you pay and meet the utility's conditions. Ask the utility what those are.
Sources: PUC press release · PUC: protections for customers
Watch out for scams
Scammers pretend to be the utility and demand payment by phone or gift card to avoid a shutoff. The PUC has warned that a real utility will not call about a payment on the day of a scheduled shutoff. If you get a call like that, hang up and call the number on your bill.
Source: PUC scam warning (2015)
Free legal help with shutoffs
Community Legal Services Energy Unit (clsphila.org) and Philadelphia Legal Assistance (philalegal.org). You can also call 211.
Last checked 2026-11-13. Phone numbers and program rules change, so confirm with the utility or the source link. The CLS shutoff guide these steps come from was last updated April 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.