Utility Disconnection Pause Extended for Many Customers
Posted on January 8, 2026 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Energy, General Interest
Last fall, Oregon’s for-profit energy utilities agreed to a temporary pause on disconnecting some customers who were behind on their bills. Now, going into 2026, state utility regulators have told utilities they need to keep this narrow moratorium until March 1, but now there are important caveats for gas customers.
In the wake of the longest government shutdown and other federal policy changes, many in Oregon are struggling to make ends meet without vital programs like SNAP and energy assistance. While the federal government has reopened, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been delayed in delivering funds to states. This extension of pausing gas and electric shutoffs for some customers is a big win for those who are still recovering from the impacts of last fall.
The following temporary policies apply to Oregon’s six for-profit energy utilities: NW Natural, Cascade, Avista, Portland General Electric (PGE), Pacific Power, and Idaho Power.
Relief for Customers of All For-Profit Utilities
Temporary relief is now available for some customers of both gas and electric utilities in Oregon.
30-Day Pause for Hardship
Any residential customer can call their utility and self-attest to experiencing hardship to receive a 30-day pause on disconnection. Customers can call to ask for this pause through March 1, 2026. This means if you receive a disconnection notice, you can call and get an extra 30 days to manage past due bills to avoid disconnection. Customers would have to call their utilities to request this.
Longer Repayment Options
Utilities must now provide an option for a 24-month payment plan, called a Time Payment Arrangement (TPA), to all residential customers. Customers must request this additional repayment time by May 1, 2026. When you are behind on your bills, but before a disconnection happens, utilities must allow you to break up the past due amount over a longer period of time. Before, most options only went up to 12 months.
More Reporting from Utilities
All utilities are required to file reports with state regulators for January, February, and March, up from quarterly reports. This increased reporting on energy burden will help regulators and advocates understand the needs of customers to plan for the next steps in March.
Added Relief for Electric Customers
No Disconnections for Many Low-Income and Medically Vulnerable Customers
Electric utilities must pause disconnections for bill discount program customers and medical certificate customers through March 1, 2026. A four-person household making under $73,816 qualifies for bill discount programs. Think you may qualify for discounts or a medical certificate? Contact your utility!
One-Time Relief Grants for Very Low-Income Customers
For customers with very low incomes, electric utilities must provide a minimum one-time grant of $500 to pay off past due bills. This grant will be automatically applied once the disconnection pause ends in March. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a bill discount program and make 0-15% State Median Income (SMI) ($18,454 and below for a family of four).
More Protections for Medical Certificate Customers
Customers with medical certificates have added protections across the board. But now through March 1, 2026, utilities cannot charge late fees for anyone with a medical certificate.
This protection is permanent for anyone enrolled in a bill discount program, even beyond March 1.
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01/09/26 | 1 Comment | Utility Disconnection Pause Extended for Many Customers