Seniors sometimes find themselves having financial difficulties. Inflation has impacted many seniors who have retired or are living on a fixed or reduced income.
Utility costs have increased beyond many residents’ ability to keep up. Winter heating costs are particularly challenging for some. Cooling costs for increasing periods of extreme heat are also problematic.
Some households struggle from month to month to pay their electric and gas bills. They often receive shutoff notices and scramble to keep the lights and heat on from time to time. Shutting off utilities for seniors can be life threatening.
What is the Law About This?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has the following regulation to protect seniors from untimely termination of gas and electricity:
220 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Section 25.05: Termination of Service to Elderly Persons
This regulation prevents utility companies from shutting off services to customers who are over 65. ALL residents in the home must be over 65. The mere presence of a resident being over 65 is not enough. Everyone residing in the home must be 65 years old or older.
Do Senior Citizens Get Free Gas and Electricity?
This does not mean that senior citizens never have to pay their bills. Services can be shut off, but only as directed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, the regulatory agency for utilities in Massachusetts. Action by the DPU would only come after a hearing, which would come months after the initial occurrence of nonpayment and only after multiple months of nonpayment.
The shutoff restriction for residents over 65 is not dependent on income. Seniors do not have to divulge their financial information to prevent utility companies from terminating services. Certification of age is required to take advantage of this important rule.
This is an opportunity for seniors to juggle their bills in a manner that works for them. Many seniors are living on a fixed or nearly fixed monthly income. Their bills are not fixed month to month. They may have quarterly property tax and water bills, inconsistent medical bills, and car repairs. This regulation provides seniors an opportunity to balance their budget without a month to month crisis.
Seniors may also qualify for fuel assistance and should apply.
What Do I Do to Get My Account Flagged as Over 65?
Seniors don’t have to face life threatening circumstances of being unable to heat their homes in winter, cool their homes in the summer, or maintain perishable food.
Qualified utility customers should register with their utility before a problem occurs. Notifying the utility that all residents are over 65 will prevent shutoff concerns. Make sure the utility confirms the notation on the account.
Customer Service at Unitil can be reached at 888-301-7700.
Should there be a problem with your account contact the utility or the Massachusetts DPU.
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