Quick Answer
A reconnection charge and the conditions for restoring utility service are provider- and account-specific. Confirm the charge, unpaid balance, deposit, payment arrangement, timing, and service-restoration requirements directly from the serving provider’s current tariff, policy, and written account notice. Do not rely on a national fee range, presumed restoration time, or assumed waiver.
If paying the account is difficult, CFPB directs renters seeking help with utility bills to local and state resources, including LIHEAP-related assistance information.[1] The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provided heating and cooling assistance to roughly 6.7 million households in 2024 through state block grants designed to prevent utility shutoffs.[2]
Next step: Before you get to reconnection, understand how your utility billing cycle works and how to spot a past-due balance before it triggers a shutoff.
What Triggers Disconnection by Utility Type
Utilities follow state-regulated rules for when they can shut off service. The type of utility and the reason for disconnection determine the reconnection steps and fees.
Electric
Electric utilities may disconnect for nonpayment, tampering, or safety violations. Most states require a written notice at least 10–15 days before shutoff, and many prohibit disconnection on certain days (weekends, holidays, extreme-weather days). Reconnection fees typically range from $10 to $300 depending on the utility and whether a truck-roll is required.
Natural Gas
Gas disconnection carries additional safety procedures. A utility technician must physically turn off and lock the meter, and reconnection often requires a home inspection to ensure pilot lights and gas appliances are safe. Fees can be $50–$250 for standard reconnection, often more after hours or on weekends.
Water
Water disconnection affects sanitation and health. Many states have stronger protections against water shutoffs, including longer notice periods and mandatory payment-plan offers. Reconnection fees are generally $25–$150 when done during business hours.
Seasonal (Summer-Only or Winter-Moratorium States)
Many states restrict winter disconnections for electricity and gas, and the rules (dates, eligibility, protections) vary by state. Reconnection after a protected period follows standard fees plus a reconnection visit. For how these protections actually work — and what a shutoff notice legally requires — see can your utility shut off service and the notice-and-protection rules in past-due balance explained; for payment-assistance options before it gets that far, start with LIHEAP and assistance programs.
Typical Reconnection Fee Table by State and Utility
The table below shows how reconnection charges are structured at selected large utilities — the fee components, the order-of-magnitude ranges, and the conditions that move the number. These are illustrative figures to calibrate expectations, not a verified price list: reconnection fees change with tariff revisions, and the authoritative number is the tariff sheet on file with your state public utility commission. Always confirm the current fee with your provider before paying.
| Utility | State | Utility Type | Typical Reconnection Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG&E | California | Electric/Gas | $75–$300 | Fee varies by time of day; after-hours or weekend truck-roll costs more. Verified from PG&E tariff Rule 23 (2026). |
| Southern California Edison (SCE) | California | Electric | $15–$200 | Same-day reconnection after full payment; fee depends on meter-access method. |
| Con Edison | New York | Electric/Gas | $75–$150 | Reconnections require an appointment. Winter shutoff rules apply — see our shutoff protections guide. |
| PECO | Pennsylvania | Electric/Gas | $50–$100 | Winter shutoff protections apply; reconnection visits are typically scheduled within business days of payment. |
| PSE&G | New Jersey | Electric/Gas | $75–$200 | After-hours reconnection incurs a higher fee. Winter shutoff protections apply. |
| Consumers Energy | Michigan | Electric/Gas | $25–$85 | Winter protections apply; ask about fee waivers for payment-plan enrollment before disconnection. |
| Georgia Power | Georgia | Electric | $25–$70 | No statewide winter moratorium; reconnection typically within 24 hours after payment. |
| CPS Energy | Texas | Electric/Gas | $25–$50 | Texas has less restrictive shutoff rules; CPS offers extended payment arrangements to avoid disconnection. |
Where to verify each row: utilities publish their reconnection charges in the tariff or rate book on file with the state commission (e.g., PG&E Schedule Rule 23, Con Edison leaf 140, PECO Rule 14). Ask your provider — or the commission — for the current tariff sheet; it supersedes anything on this page.
Get the Restoration Terms in Writing
Ask the provider to identify every item that applies to the account:
| Item | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Service status | Whether service is pending disconnection, disconnected, or otherwise restricted |
| Balance | Past-due amount, late charges, credits, and payment-history status |
| Reconnection charge | Amount, tariff or policy reference, and when it is due |
| Deposit or security requirement | Whether one applies and under what written terms — a deposit may be required after a shutoff before service is restored |
| Restoration | Payment confirmation, access, scheduling, equipment, and safety conditions |
| Assistance or payment options | Current eligibility rules, contacts, deadlines, and documentation |
Keep the notice, bill, account confirmation, and provider communication. A service-start fee, a deposit, and a reconnection charge may be separate items; verify their definitions in the provider’s documents.
The Restoration Process Step by Step
Once you have the written terms, follow these steps to restore service:
Step 1: Pay the Full Balance (or Enter a Payment Plan)
Most utilities require all past-due charges plus the reconnection fee to be paid before they will schedule a visit. Some states allow you to avoid disconnection entirely by enrolling in a deferred-payment agreement before the shutoff date.
Step 2: Schedule the Reconnection Appointment
After payment clears (usually 1–2 business days for checks, instantly for online payments), call the utility to schedule the reconnection. Ask for a specific window. Expect:
- Electric: often same-day once payment clears — a technician restores the meter or breaker; ask for the appointment window when you pay.
- Gas: typically longer — the technician must relight pilot lights and check for leaks, so request the earliest appointment. (Your utility quotes the actual timing; treat any specific hours it gives you as the plan.)
- Water: 30–60 minutes; technician turns the curb stop or water valve back on.
Step 3: Be Present for the Technician
Someone 18 or older must be home for gas reconnection (safety inspection). Electric and water may allow access to the meter without the customer present if the meter is external.
Step 4: Verify Restoration
After the visit, confirm that:
- All appliances are working (especially gas pilot lights).
- The meter is registering usage again.
- Your online account shows active service.
- The reconnection fee appears on your next statement or was charged separately.
Step 5: Keep Records
Save the payment receipt, the appointment confirmation number, and the technician’s service order. If the charge was wrong or the visit didn’t happen, you’ll need these to dispute.
How to Avoid the Reconnection Fee
The best way to avoid the fee is to never reach the disconnection point. Every utility offers options before the final shutoff notice is issued.
| Action | What It Does | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Payment arrangement | Splits the past-due amount into installments over 3–12 months | Call customer service and ask before the shutoff deadline. Most states guarantee a payment-plan offer. |
| Utility bill assistance programs | State- or utility-run funds that pay part or all of the balance | Check with your utility or state social services office. Programs often require proof of income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. |
| LIHEAP | Federal block grant to states for heating/cooling bill assistance | Apply through your state LIHEAP office. In 2024, 6.7 million households received assistance.[2] |
| Medical or life-support protections | Prevents disconnection for households with documented medical needs | Requires a doctor’s note on file. Not all states cover all conditions; ask your provider for the medical-certification form. |
| Deferred payment agreement | Sets a specific date for full payment without immediate disconnection | Negotiate a date you can realistically meet. The provider may require a deposit. |
If you already have a disconnection notice, call immediately. The provider may agree to pause the shutoff while you complete a LIHEAP application or payment-plan paperwork.
Prioritize Safety and Urgent Needs
For a gas odor, suspected leak, electrical hazard, medical need, or another emergency, use the serving utility’s emergency contact instructions. Do not tamper with a meter, seal, line, or service equipment to restore service.
If a household member has medical equipment or another urgent need, tell the provider immediately and ask which current program, documentation, or emergency procedure applies. Availability and protections vary, so obtain the provider’s written response.
Get Assistance Before the Deadline
Contact the provider as soon as the notice arrives and ask about its current payment and restoration rules. CFPB’s resource directs people who need help paying bills toward local and state support, including LIHEAP information.[1] Confirm any program’s application requirements and whether it can address the specific account balance or charge.
LIHEAP is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through state block grants. Eligibility and benefit amounts vary by state. Find your state’s application office at the LIHEAP Clearinghouse website.[2]
Questions for the Provider
- Which tariff or policy defines the reconnection charge on this account?
- What exact amount and conditions are required before service can be restored?
- Are a deposit, visit, access requirement, or safety check involved?
- What payment arrangement or assistance options are available today?
- What confirmation and restoration timing can the provider document for this account?
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Get help paying rent and bills — directs households to LIHEAP and state/local resources.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services: LIHEAP — program overview, eligibility, and state contact information.
- Department of Energy: Home Upgrades — energy assistance and efficiency program references.
