Wyoming's 7-day notice, 32 degree forecast and holiday shutoff limits, health care verification, LIEAP Special Situations, and Energy Share of Wyoming.
Wyoming PSC notice rules
The Wyoming Public Service Commission (PSC) sets shutoff rules for the utilities it regulates in Chapter 3 of its rules. A utility must give at least seven calendar days' notice before cutting home service for nonpayment. The notice must name the agencies that have told the utility they help people who cannot pay, and it must explain how to contact the PSC if you dispute the shutoff. If a health care provider gives written verification, before the shutoff date, that someone's health or safety would be seriously endangered, the utility must push the date back 15 days, for 22 days in all. From November 1 through April 30, the utility must also try to reach you in person or by phone before disconnecting.
Cold forecasts and holiday limits
Wyoming's rule bars a shutoff for nonpayment at a home when the National Weather Service or another reputable source forecasts temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the next 48 hours, or when conditions are otherwise especially dangerous to health. No shutoff for nonpayment may happen on a legal holiday or the day before, from December 24 through January 2, or on any day the utility cannot reconnect service. Disconnections are allowed only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. If you make an agreement to pay the past due amount over a reasonable time and keep to it, the utility cannot disconnect you. Utilities must also help older and disabled customers who cannot pay find government assistance.
LIEAP and Special Situations from DFS
The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), through its Economic Security division, runs the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Wyoming sets the income limit at 60 percent of state median income, and DFS takes applications through an online Utility Assistance portal. Households that federal law treats as a priority are told in early September and can apply before the general season opens. Wyoming calls crisis help Special Situations. These can cover deposits to restore or start power, back bill help to avoid or end a disconnection, a special fill of delivered fuel, propane tank setup, and repair or replacement of a failed heating or cooling system. The state plan aims to resolve a crisis within 48 hours.
Energy Share of Wyoming and Black Hills Cares
Energy Share of Wyoming is a private nonprofit that helps with energy emergencies as a last resort. Montana-Dakota Utilities, Rocky Mountain Power and Black Hills Energy founded it, and other utilities and towns take part. It makes a one-time payment per household toward home energy bills and gives special consideration to seniors and people with disabilities. Black Hills Energy sends its Black Hills Cares fund in Wyoming through Energy Share and the Newcastle Ministerial Association. Black Hills says Energy Share accepts applications from December 1 through April 30, or until funds run out, and asks people to apply for LIEAP first. Ask your own utility which local fund it supports.
Steps to take before a Wyoming shutoff
Call your utility as soon as you know a bill will be late, before the notice period runs out. Ask for a payment arrangement in writing, because keeping to one blocks a nonpayment shutoff under the PSC rule. If someone in the home has a serious health risk, get the provider's written verification to the utility before the first shutoff date, since that is what triggers the 15-day extension. You can also ask the utility to send copies of shutoff and late notices to a trusted third party, such as an adult child, and doing so does not make that person liable for the bill. City-owned water and power systems may follow their own rules, so ask for their policy.
Complaints to the Wyoming PSC
Every utility in Wyoming that the PSC regulates must promptly investigate customer complaints and keep a record of each one for three years, so start with the company and write down its answer. The PSC can resolve informal complaints at its discretion. A formal complaint must include a clear statement of the facts, the laws or rules you believe were broken, your contact information and the name of the company, and it must say whether you want a hearing. A request for a hearing must be in writing. The company then has 20 days to answer, and the two sides can settle by a written agreement the PSC approves. Your shutoff notice must explain how to reach the PSC.
Settlemont in a Wyoming plan
Settlemont can work next to LIEAP and Energy Share while you wait for an answer. A bill owner posts one current Utility, Medical or Education bill through a short private form, then names the biller in a separate step using a one-time access code. Staff confirm the biller, the owner and the current balance, and duplicate and fraud checks run before approval. Supporters see a first name, the state, the category and the verified amount. Support goes directly to the biller. Employers, foundations and community groups can also sponsor batches of verified bills, with program pricing on request. Posting does not guarantee that a bill gets paid before its due date, so keep your payment arrangement current.
Sources
- Wyoming Public Service Commission Rules Chapter 3, Section 9: Discontinuation of Service (Cornell LII)
- Wyoming Public Service Commission Rules Chapter 3, Section 11: Complaints (Cornell LII)
- Wyoming FY2026 LIHEAP State Plan (LIHEAP Clearinghouse)
- Black Hills Energy: Black Hills Cares
- Energy Share of Wyoming
Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.
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