Help paying utility bills in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island moratorium from November 1 to May 1

Rhode Island's termination rules, 810-RICR-10-00-1, cover regulated electric, gas and water utilities. The current version, effective June 23, 2025, defines the utility termination moratorium period as 12:01 a.m. on November 1 through 11:59 p.m. on May 1. During that period, no regulated gas or electric utility may terminate service to any residence for nonpayment when the service is the main source of heat, unless the delinquent balance is more than $500. When the service is not the main heat source, the limit is $200. A balance counts as delinquent when it stays unpaid for at least ten calendar days after a payment was due, so a small past-due amount alone should not end your heat.

Protected status households get more

During the moratorium, a gas or electric utility may not terminate for nonpayment, with no dollar threshold, when it has evidence that the customer is a Protected Status Customer. That includes homes where someone is unemployed and receiving unemployment compensation, is elderly or handicapped, receives LIHEAP, or is seriously ill, and homes with a child under two that face financial hardship. Financial hardship means household gross income at or below 75 percent of the Rhode Island median for the household size, measured over a year or the most recent three months. Tell your utility in writing which status applies and keep proof, such as a LIHEAP approval letter or an unemployment statement.

Older adults, serious illness and summer heat

Before terminating service to a household where every adult is 62 or older, or where any resident is handicapped, a utility must get written approval from the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. For serious illness, a licensed physician can certify the condition by phone, with written certification following within seven days. The termination date then must be at least three weeks after the utility receives the written certification, and you can ask for a review if the illness lasts longer. In summer, utilities may not terminate residential service for nonpayment on any day the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory or excessive heat warning for Rhode Island.

Ten-day notices and payment plan options

A termination notice must be mailed so that it arrives at least ten days before the proposed disconnection date, and it must explain payment plans and your right to a Division review. Electric and gas utilities must offer payment plans that average your estimated costs over ten or twelve months. Most customers can use three plans before the utility may require up to the full unpaid balance to restore service. For very low-income customers, the Arrearage Forgiveness plan starts with a 25 percent payment, followed by monthly payments of one thirty-sixth of half the remaining balance for 36 months. Payment plans are optional for water utilities, so ask your water provider what it offers.

LIHEAP through your Community Action Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible Rhode Island customers with public energy aid, and the state's termination rules tell anyone who may qualify to contact their local Community Action Program. Apply as early in the fall as you can, since receiving LIHEAP is also one of the ways to become a Protected Status Customer for the winter. Bring recent utility bills, proof of income and ID, and ask the agency at the same visit about any other heating or bill help it runs. If your heat comes from oil or propane, plan ahead, because the moratorium rules cover regulated gas and electric service only.

Asking the Division for a review

If you and the utility cannot settle a dispute, you can submit it to the Reviewing Officer at the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, whose office is in Warwick. Service may not be shut off while an informal review is pending, or for at least ten days after the review decision is mailed. Ask for the review before the date on your notice, and gather your account history, the notice and any medical or protected status proof first. These termination rules also reach regulated water utilities, even though the winter moratorium itself covers only gas and electric service.

A Settlemont request for one Rhode Island bill

Settlemont lets a Rhode Island resident ask for help with one current Utility, Medical or Education bill without posting a statement online. The first step collects only your first name, email, state, bill category, amount and due date. After that, a one-time private access code lets you identify the biller, and staff confirm the biller, you and the current balance. If approved, the public page shows your first name, Rhode Island, the category and the verified amount. Supporters' help goes directly to the utility, not to you, and you are never charged by Settlemont. Keep your payment plan and LIHEAP application active, since approval does not guarantee payment.

Sources

• Rhode Island Code of Regulations 810-RICR-10-00-1: Termination of residential electric, gas and water utility service
• LIHEAP Clearinghouse: State disconnection policies
• LIHEAP Clearinghouse: Cold weather disconnect policies

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

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