Help paying utility bills in Montana

Montana's winter moratorium, November 1 to April 1

From November 1 to April 1, regulated utilities in Montana, such as NorthWestern Energy, Montana-Dakota Utilities and Energy West, must get approval from the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) before disconnecting a home for nonpayment. The PSC will not approve a winter disconnect if the account holder's income is at or below the federal poverty guideline, if the account holder is on a public assistance program, or if someone in the household is 62 or older or has a disability. Having children in the home does not, by itself, block a disconnect. The protection depends on you: tell the utility about any qualifying condition before the shutoff date, and expect to be asked for documentation.

Co-ops, propane and water follow different rules

Not every Montana provider answers to the PSC. Electric cooperatives and propane distributors are not regulated by the commission, do not need its approval for a winter disconnect and follow their own termination procedures. If a co-op or propane company serves you, ask for its written winter policy and payment options now, before the tank or the account runs low. Water and sewer service is often run by a city or town with its own billing rules, so call the local utility office if you fall behind there. Whatever your provider, reach out before the due date. NorthWestern Energy, for example, says it can set up a payment arrangement or extend a due date when you call ahead.

Applying for LIHEAP through DPHHS

Montana's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is run by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Human and Community Services Division. It pays part of winter energy bills during the heating season, October 1 through April 30, for homeowners and renters. Eligibility depends on income and resource limits, and households getting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) may qualify automatically. Apply online at apply.mt.gov, or through your local eligibility office or Tribal LIHEAP office. A combined LIHEAP and weatherization application is also available to print and deliver or mail. Benefits vary with your type of home, number of bedrooms and heating fuel.

Furnace emergencies, weatherization and utility programs

LIHEAP may also help eligible households with furnace emergencies, which matters when a broken heater in January is a real danger. The Weatherization Assistance Program, which you can apply for any time of year, helps participants improve the heating efficiency of their homes so they use less energy. Montana-Dakota Utilities and Energy West run programs that examine unsafe furnaces and water heaters, repair them when possible and replace them when necessary, and both offer cost-effective weatherization for qualifying customers. In the Great Falls area, Energy West offers zero-interest loans through a local bank for gas appliances. Some Montana utilities also discount bills for households that receive LIHEAP, so ask yours whether it does.

Energy Share of Montana for emergencies

Energy Share of Montana is a private nonprofit that helps with energy emergencies and looks at your whole situation, not just your income. That makes it worth a call after a sudden setback such as a job loss or a large medical bill. You apply through your local Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). Energy Share also replaces inefficient refrigerators for elderly or disabled homeowners and replaces non-working water heaters in certain circumstances. Call 211 to find other local help, including community agencies and churches. Before you call anyone, gather your latest bill, any disconnect notice and proof of household income, so the person helping you can act on the first conversation.

Reaching the Montana PSC

If you have talked with your regulated utility and are still unsatisfied, contact the PSC through psc.mt.gov, by email at pschelp@mt.gov or by mail to its Helena office. Explain which protection you believe applies, such as income at or below the poverty guideline or a household member who is 62 or older, and include the date of any disconnection notice. During the moratorium, a regulated utility has to ask the PSC before it can disconnect, so raising your situation early helps. The PSC cannot step into co-op or propane disputes, since those providers fall outside its authority. For those, go to the cooperative's member services office or the dealer's manager, and ask for any decision in writing.

How Settlemont works for Montana households

Settlemont gives Montanans a private way to seek support toward a verified utility bill. Submission takes six fields (first name, email, state, category, amount and due date) and never asks for a statement upload. You then use a one-time code to identify your utility separately, and Settlemont staff verify it along with your ownership of the bill and the current balance. A supporter who chooses your bill pays the amount plus a 7 percent card or 5 percent bank service fee, and the support goes straight to the biller. Employers, foundations and community organizations can also sponsor batches of verified bills. Keep your LIHEAP application and utility payment plan going, because a posted bill may not be paid in time.

Sources

• Montana Public Service Commission: Winter Moratorium Explained
• Montana Public Service Commission: Financial Assistance Programs
• Montana DPHHS: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• NorthWestern Energy: Payment assistance

Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.

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