Help paying utility bills in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's utility rules and who they cover

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates electric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities, with limited authority over telephone service. Its rules in the Puc 1200 series include the winter disconnection protections described below. The PUC posts residential electric rates for Eversource, Liberty and Unitil, which are among the regulated electric companies whose customers these rules protect. Many water and sewer systems are run by towns and cities with their own policies, so call your local office if that bill is behind. New Hampshire's utility consumer staff mediate disputes between customers and regulated utilities and can help set up payment plans, but they do not pay bills. Your best first step is still a call to your utility before the due date.

The November 15 to March 31 winter period

New Hampshire's winter period runs from November 15 through March 31 for residential customers of gas, electric and steam utilities. During that time, a utility must seek commission approval before disconnecting a residential customer known to be 65 or older or a customer with a known financial hardship. The commission will not approve a disconnection when the customer has a financial hardship and has made a good faith effort to pay toward the bill. A utility also may not send a winter disconnection notice for a primary residence until the arrearage exceeds $125 for non-heating gas customers, $225 for non-heating electric customers or $450 for electric, gas and steam heating customers. Winter disconnection is not allowed over an unpaid deposit.

How financial hardship is proven

Under rule Puc 1202.10, financial hardship means you have given the utility evidence of current enrollment in a qualifying program, and the qualifying programs include the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the state's Electric Assistance Program. That makes enrolling in those programs the most practical way to unlock winter protection. You must show the utility evidence of hardship every year, so keep your approval letters where you can find them quickly. If you cannot make the minimum payment, the utility must tell you about social service agencies in your area known to offer possible help. Ask your utility how to enroll in the Electric Assistance Program, and call 211 to find the local office that takes LIHEAP applications.

Winter notice and payment arrangements

During the winter period, a utility must also notify an adult living in the home, in person or by telephone, at least 2 and no more than 8 business days before the proposed disconnection. If it cannot reach an adult, it must ask the commission for approval first and report details such as children under 5, household members over 65, any medical certifications and any known hardship. Customers without hardship can keep service by paying current bills on time and repaying the arrearage in equal installments over the winter period and the six months after it. Hardship customers get an arrangement built on monthly payments of 10 percent under rule Puc 1204.04. When winter ends, customers with arrears are offered six equal monthly installments on top of current bills.

Medical emergencies and restoring service

If someone in the home has a medical emergency, tell the utility right away. The utility must explain your rights under the medical emergency rules in Puc 1205, and service is restored once the utility receives certification from a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant or mental health practitioner and you agree to a payment arrangement. Keep a copy of the certification for your records. Households that were disconnected between April 15 and October 15 and are still without service on November 1 should get a letter from the utility by November 7. If you then contact the utility and show evidence of financial hardship, 10 percent of the outstanding balance is enough to restore service for the winter.

Getting help when a utility will not budge

If your utility refuses a protection the rules provide, ask for a supervisor and cite the rule, such as Puc 1204.03 for customers 65 or older or Puc 1204.06 for restoring service. Then contact New Hampshire's utility consumer services staff, who mediate disputes between customers and regulated companies and can help arrange a payment plan. Start at the PUC website, puc.nh.gov, or call its Concord office. Have your account information, the disconnection notice, your hardship documents and a list of every call ready. Oil, propane and kerosene dealers fall outside these gas, electric and steam utility rules, so a household that heats with delivered fuel should talk with its dealer early about budget plans.

Settlemont for a New Hampshire utility balance

Settlemont lets a New Hampshire bill owner ask for outside support on one verified utility balance without posting a statement or account number. After a short private submission, you receive a one-time access code and name your utility separately so reviewers can confirm the biller, verify that the bill is yours and check the current balance. Approved bills appear with only a first name, the state, the category and the amount. Supporters pay the bill amount plus a disclosed fee, 7 percent by card or 5 percent by bank, and support goes directly to the company that sent the bill. You owe Settlemont nothing. Keep your hardship paperwork current with the utility, because Settlemont cannot promise a bill will be paid before winter ends.

Sources

• New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission: Winter disconnection rules
• New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission: Consumer information
• New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission: Home page and residential rates

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

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