The cold weather is already upon us. Energy prices are high and thousands of customers of regulated utilities are either without service or have received shut-off notices. However, there are a number of steps a low-income household can take to ease some of the hardships expected this winter.

Crisis Assistance—for those who are without heat or in immediate danger of being without heat—a grant of up to $800 is available;

Termination notices— Utility customers of who receive shut-off notices from their public utility company are eligible for LIHEAP Crisis Grants. If you receive such a notice take it to your LIHEAP provider. The Department of Public Welfare will then provide a notice to you about the status of your application.

Winter protection—Between December 1 and March 31 each year, a household living in the NWLS service area in which the income of the adults does not exceed 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines is protected from the shut-off of utility service. To be sure you get this protection, inform your utility company about your household income level now.

Medical Certificate—If anyone in your household is ill or has a medical condition which will be aggravated by the loss of utility service, you will be protected from shut-off. You must request your doctor or a nurse practitioner to write a note to the utility company and contact your company for a payment plan. The note must be updated every 30 days. This protection may end if you fail to make the agreed upon payments.

Change of Income—If the income of the adult household members has dropped by 10%, you may be eligible to get a second payment agreement from your utility company.

Protection from Abuse Order—Inform the utility if you are protected by a Protection from Abuse Order. The utility company is not permitted to apply the new, more financially demanding rules to you and you will have a greater level of protection.