What a Utility Shutoff Notice Actually Means in Maryland

By the time this letter arrives, a decision has already been made about which bill loses. Nobody chooses between the electric bill and groceries casually. They choose after everything else has already been cut.

What the gas discontinuance notice says

• Gas Bill, DISCONTINUANCE NOTICE

• To avoid disconnection, please pay $261.30 by April 16, 2026

• Late payment charges continue to accrue per tariffs

• Other Charges: $23.05

• Total Charges This Period: $150.84

• Total to pay: $412.14

The winter shutoff protections in Maryland

A shutoff notice is not the same as a shutoff. Maryland regulates the process. Between November 1 and March 31, a gas or electric utility may not terminate residential service for nonpayment unless it first files an affidavit with the Public Service Commission that the termination is not a threat to the life or health of the people in the home. And a utility may not cut off service on a day when the forecast temperature at 6 a.m. is 32 degrees or below. These winter protections are enforced by the Maryland Public Service Commission under its COMAR regulations. Confirm the current dates and contact rules with the Commission, because the details are updated from time to time.

Help with the balance

Maryland also runs energy assistance through the Office of Home Energy Programs, which can help with a past due balance and going forward.

What bankruptcy does to a shutoff threat

On the bankruptcy side, section 366 of the Bankruptcy Code covers utility service. Filing generally stops a utility from cutting off service just because of a prepetition balance, but the utility can ask for adequate assurance of future payment, usually a deposit, within 20 days after the case is filed. Meet that and service continues.

The date on the notice is not always the deadline

What I want you to take from this letter is simple. There is a process, you have rights inside it, and the date on the notice is not always the real deadline. Call before that date, not after.

Common Questions

Can they shut off my power in winter in Maryland?

There are seasonal protections. Between November 1 and March 31 a utility must file a life or health affidavit first, and it cannot cut off service when the 6 a.m. forecast is 32 degrees or below.

Does bankruptcy stop a shutoff?

Generally yes for a prepetition balance. Under section 366 the utility can ask for a deposit as adequate assurance within 20 days of filing.

Is utility debt dischargeable?

A past due balance is generally dischargeable. Service going forward still has to be paid.

Read the complete guides to Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Maryland and Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Maryland, or go back to the full document series, What Debt Actually Looks Like. If you want to talk it through, you can book a free consultation or call 240-896-3253.