Most states specify a range of time when utilities are prohibited from cutting off
service to these groups. As you might guess,
the broadest ranges tend to be in northern states and the shortest in the South.
Frosty Minnesota takes the top spot nationally in this regard, banning
disconnections of service to qualified people for a full six months, from Oct. 15 to April 15
JKH001 says:
Two things must be considered in empowering utility companies on this matter. On one level, the utility company deserves to be paid. On the other matter, we as a society have decided to use utility companies as the means to distribute heat and other utilities. What compromise can be reached? On one end, the utility company needs revenue to continue to operate, and thus continue to deliver services to the citizens. On the other, we do not want people freezing to death or dying of heat exhaustion.
I would say that if the government can act as guarantor for citizens that fail to pay, then the utilities should not be shut off. However, if the government is not willing to guarantee payment for those services, then it has no basis in demanding those services continue to be provided. Demanding labor from someone without compensation is slavery…which is, y’know, bad.