FYI - Heating bill

[momxx5]

The Gas company CAN and WILL disconnect the services if the heating bill is past due more than 60 days (doesn't matter the amount....any from $50 - $350 - 3,500.)

The law states that they cannot if the tempurated is lower than freezing 32degrees for 24+ hours, then once the temp rises, then they can do the disconnect.

Just an FYI, because some around here are under the belief that the heat cannot be turned off during the winter and that is simply NOT true. I has been discussed a few time on the boards and I just found this info out and wanted to share.

A co-worker is the one who found this out. She was under the assumption that the heat could not be turned off in colder months. Now after confirming that is can be, she is making arrangements to be set up on equal year-round payments. That is much easier for a budget and she will no longer have worries.

 

[ccgirl]

The Gas company CAN and WILL disconnect the services if the heating bill is past due more than 60 days (doesn't matter the amount....any from $50 - $350 - 3,500.)

The law states that they cannot if the tempurated is lower than freezing 35degrees for 24+ hours, then once the temp rises, then they can do the disconnect.

Just an FYI, because many around here are under the belief that the heat cannot be turned off during the winter and that is simply NOT true.

As you stated, yes they can and they will. It varies by state law. I believe in my state they cannot turn it off in the winter if there is a child under the age of 2 in the house or a disabled person. I'm not positive on that; I just know there are "conditions" on when they can't turn it off.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

They are usually willing to work out payment arrangements if you contact them to let them know you're having trouble paying the bill beforehand and if your account has otherwise been in good standing up till now.

I'm not sure how willing they'll be to work with you after service has been disconnected.

 

[Pembo]

Just pay the bill and then you won't have to worry about it. I don't understand why we *need* to know this info?

 

[marlynnp]

Where's the Paypal button?

 

[RitaE]

I can't say I've seen *many* around here who have professed a belief that heat cannot be turned off for non-payment. Besides which, the regulations for that are localized and the standards you give probably only apply to people in your area.

Perhaps if you are seeing *many* threads like that you might PM them and suggest they turn off things like their internet and direct tv and pay the heating bill.

 

[bjgrazi]

Just pay the bill and then you won't have to worry about it. I don't understand why we *need* to know this info?

This... I'm guessing we're having trouble paying our heating bill can't be far behind.

When did freezing raise from 32 to 35?

Another PSA for those who have a hard time paying their heating bill, most utility companies have a thing called level billing. They'll look at your history of how much you've used in past years and charge you the same amount for 12 months. They average out what is a month for 12 months and that's your monthly bill. It's a great way to budget. I know every month our bill is $78 in the 11 month they will let us know if we're under or over. We usually come out just about even.

 

[undertheradar]

Probably should have paid the gas bill instead of worrying about extra gifts for ds's gf at Christmas and then the thread looking for free birthday meals this past weekend. It was a very quiet Christmas season for charity attempts, but looks like it is going to be a busy Spring.

 

[Nayan]

Just pay the bill and then you won't have to worry about it. I don't understand why we *need* to know this info?

I agree. You pay them, they won't shut it off. If you can't afford it, then get rid of the cable/internet/IPhone and then you can .

 

[angwill]

Bills should be paid in order of importance: Budgeting
House-need a roof over your head
Car-need it for work unless you have public transport then a pass for that goes here
Electricity
Heat if different from above
Water if no well
Insurance for car if you have one
Phone or cell which ever you choose but both are not necessary
Medical
What is left over goes to food and gas
After that come the extras like cable, internet, gifts, etc.

Figure out income monthly and subtract the above in order if there is enough to get down to heat there is no excuse not to pay it.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Probably should have paid the gas bill instead of worrying about extra gifts for ds's gf at Christmas and then the thread looking for free birthday meals this past weekend. It was a very quiet Christmas season for charity attempts, but looks like it is going to be a busy Spring.

heheheee

 

[LilyWDW]

Well, they are not a charity. Pay your bills or contact them to see if they are willing to work with you. Then, you have nothing to worry about!

 

[ilovemk76]

The Gas company CAN and WILL disconnect the services if the heating bill is past due more than 60 days (doesn't matter the amount....any from $50 - $350 - 3,500.)

The law states that they cannot if the tempurated is lower than freezing 35degrees for 24+ hours, then once the temp rises, then they can do the disconnect.

Just an FYI, because many around here are under the belief that the heat cannot be turned off during the winter and that is simply NOT true.

Here are 3 PSA:

1) Freezing is 32 degrees, so setting your freezer at 35 will not create ice.

2) Paying for DirecTV rather than the heating bill is a bad idea.

3) Pay your utility bills on time and you do not need to know the original PSA.

 

[Scraggy]

I can see in this economy that some people really can't afford to pay their heating bill.

On my street there were 4 houses who had their water shut off right before Christmas because they were 60 days past due. Average amount these households owed was about $60. It then cost them double to get pay the past due bill and get the water turned back on. My acquaintance in the next town over had her water shut off too.

Some people really struggle with budgeting.

We have a savings account set up just for heating. $120 every 2 weeks get put automatically in year round. Any left over just stays in there because one day we may need to use those extra funds. You never know.

 

[Grog]

Where's the Paypal button?

 

[DISdreamin']

I agree. You pay them, they won't shut it off. If you can't afford it, then get rid of the cable/internet/IPhone and then you can .

But I NEED my iPhone!!!

I've been keeping a close eye around here lately and I haven't seen a thread recently where anyone talked about how or if utility companies could or would shut off service.

 

[Marionnette]

The Gas company CAN and WILL disconnect the services if the heating bill is past due more than 60 days (doesn't matter the amount....any from $50 - $350 - 3,500.)

The law states that they cannot if the tempurated is lower than freezing 35degrees for 24+ hours, then once the temp rises, then they can do the disconnect.

Just an FYI, because many around here are under the belief that the heat cannot be turned off during the winter and that is simply NOT true.

Did I miss a thread about gas turnoffs while I was away? Or are you referring to your neighbors when you say "many around here".

Every state has different laws governing public utilities. In fact, they can vary from one region to another within some states. You cannot make a blanket statement like that.

Sorry if your gas got turned of, OP. But around here, the gas company will work with anyone who is delinquent as long as they are making an effort to pay. But the kicker is, once they shut you off, you have to pay the whole amount PLUS a deposit because you're a bad risk PLUS a turn on fee. I worked at the gas company in customer service for a few summers while I was in college. You wouldn't believe how far they will bend over backwards to keep your gas on if you only make the effort to pay them.

 

[sookie]

Probably should have paid the gas bill instead of worrying about extra gifts for ds's gf at Christmas and then the thread looking for free birthday meals this past weekend. It was a very quiet Christmas season for charity attempts, but looks like it is going to be a busy Spring.

AMEN

Here is my FYI - PAY YOUR BILLS!!!

 

[chamonix]

The Gas company CAN and WILL disconnect the services if the heating bill is past due more than 60 days (doesn't matter the amount....any from $50 - $350 - 3,500.)

The law states that they cannot if the tempurated is lower than freezing 35degrees for 24+ hours, then once the temp rises, then they can do the disconnect.

Just an FYI, because many around here are under the belief that the heat cannot be turned off during the winter and that is simply NOT true.

The laws vary by state. It's actually 32 in many states, and it's not "for 24 hours" it may be only "IF" it's forecast to be 32 sometime in the next 24 hours.

Check out this link for each state's laws:

http://liheap.ncat.org/Disconnect/disconnect.htm

Personally, I would go without gas for my car and even food before I would go without electricity during winter if I didn't heat with wood (assume it goes without saying I would pretty much go without anything else too....cable, phone, internet, etc etc.....)

 

[JOCAmom]

Probably should have paid the gas bill instead of worrying about extra gifts for ds's gf at Christmas and then the thread looking for free birthday meals this past weekend. It was a very quiet Christmas season for charity attempts, but looks like it is going to be a busy Spring.

MTE!

Where I live, the only time I really hear about utilities being shut off is from people who habitually don't pay their bills and make no effort at all to make things right.

And my FYI, most posters around here are onto you.