Help paying your electric bill when you have medical needs

Introduction

If you rely on electricity for your health, like running a CPAP, oxygen equipment, a nebulizer, or keeping medicines cold, an unpaid electric bill can feel urgent and scary. You are not alone, and there are practical steps you can take to lower your bill, find financial help, and reduce the risk of disconnection.

Power outages and disconnections can be especially dangerous for people who depend on home-use medical devices, so planning ahead matters.

Key takeaways

• If electricity is essential for your health, contact your utility right away and ask about medical protections, payment plans, and assistance programs.
• Federal and state-supported programs may help with energy bills and home upgrades that reduce monthly costs.
• Your clinician may be able to complete a “medical certification” or similar form in some states or service areas.
• If you are at immediate risk because a medical device cannot run without power, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Why electricity can become a medical necessity

Electricity is not just a convenience when it supports your day-to-day health and safety. Examples include:

• Breathing support devices (CPAP, BiPAP, ventilators)
• Oxygen concentrators or suction machines
• Nebulizers
• Mobility and safety devices that need charging
• Refrigeration for certain medicines (for example, some insulins)
• Temperature control needs for certain health conditions

Public health guidance emphasizes that power loss can be life-threatening for people who depend on home-use medical devices.

If you are behind on your electric bill, start with these steps

When medical needs are involved, acting early can give you more options.

1) Call your utility’s customer assistance line

Ask these specific questions:

• Do you offer a medical baseline rate, medical needs discount, or “critical care” customer program?
• Do you have a policy to delay disconnection if someone in the home has a serious illness or uses medical equipment?
• What documents do you accept from a clinician?
• Can you set up a payment plan that stops or delays disconnection while you apply for assistance?

Even when protections exist, you may still need to set up a payment plan or apply for assistance quickly. US government guidance notes that each state has different policies about when utilities can disconnect service, and factors may include disability and age.

2) If a shutoff notice is already posted, ask what stops disconnection today

Say clearly:

• You have a medical need for electricity in the home.
• You are requesting any available medical protection or serious illness process.
• You want a temporary hold while you submit documents and apply for assistance.

If you can make a partial payment, ask if that helps keep service on while paperwork is processed.

3) Contact your clinician’s office for documentation

In many areas, utilities accept a clinician-signed form or letter confirming that loss of electricity could worsen a serious condition or prevent use of needed equipment.

For example, Maryland’s Office of People’s Counsel explains that a Public Service Commission “Medical Certification Form” can tell the utility that turning off service could worsen a serious illness or prevent use of important medical equipment, and that a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant needs to sign it.

Important: You usually do not need to disclose detailed diagnoses to your utility. Ask your clinician’s office to share only what is required by the form or local rules.

Programs that may help pay your electric bill

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

A major source of help in the U.S. is LIHEAP. It is a federally funded program that provides funding to states, territories, and tribes to help households with low incomes meet home energy needs. It can help reduce costs, address energy crises, and support weatherization or minor energy-related repairs in some areas.

In plain terms, this can mean:

• Help paying part of your heating or cooling bill
• Emergency support during an energy crisis
• Referral to local agencies that administer funds and applications

US government guidance also notes that depending on where you live, you may qualify for help with electric bills through LIHEAP.

Weatherization Assistance Program

Weatherization can reduce your monthly costs over time by improving the energy efficiency and safety of your home. The U.S. Department of Energy describes WAP as a program that reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing home energy efficiency while ensuring health and safety.

Weatherization support can include things like insulation and air sealing, and in some cases other upgrades, depending on local program rules.

State and local protections and emergency supports

Many states and utility service areas have additional options. Depending on where you live, you may find:

• Shutoff rules tied to extreme heat or cold
• Additional protections for older adults or people with disabilities
• Extra steps the utility must take before disconnecting service
• One-time emergency grants through community action agencies or local programs

US government guidance highlights that policies vary by state and can differ based on the utility provider.

How to strengthen your request when medical needs are involved

A utility call goes better when you have your details ready. Before you call, gather:

• Account number and service address
• Current balance and shutoff date (if listed)
• List of medical devices that require electricity
• Whether you have backup power (battery, generator) and how long it lasts
• Clinician contact information and the best fax or email for forms

When you talk to the utility, ask for:

• A medical needs or serious illness form (or the exact name they use)
• A supervisor or customer advocacy team if the first representative cannot help
• Written confirmation of any hold, payment plan, or next steps

Plan for power outages to protect your health

Even if you keep service on, storms and outages can still happen. The CDC recommends preparing for emergencies and identifying backup power sources, especially if you depend on medical equipment.

The FDA also suggests steps like notifying your electric company and fire department if you have a medical device that needs power, and learning whether your device can be used with batteries or a generator.

Practical preparation ideas:

• Ask your device supplier about battery options and safe backup methods
• Keep printed instructions for your device and a list of settings you use
• Charge backup batteries early when severe weather is expected
• Know where you can go if you lose power (family, shelter, community center)
• If you use insulin, learn safe storage steps during an outage and monitor glucose closely during emergencies

Why this matters for long-term health

Difficulty paying for energy is not only a financial issue. It can directly affect chronic disease management, medication storage, and exposure to unsafe temperatures.

Research published by the CDC found that states with higher household energy insecurity also had higher diagnosed diabetes prevalence, and noted that energy assistance interventions may help reduce energy insecurity and support diabetes management during extreme temperatures.

How Understood Care can support you

If you are dealing with medical needs and rising costs, it helps to have a clear plan and the right paperwork.

You may find these Understood Care resources useful:

• Financial support options and benefit ideas: https://understoodcare.com/uc-articles/financial-help
• Flex card benefits that may help with utilities in some plans: https://understoodcare.com/uc-articles/flex-cards-and-grocery-benefits-that-can-also-pay-rent-or-utilities

If you want hands-on help, consider asking a care advocate to help you organize documents, prepare a script for utility calls, and track application steps so nothing falls through the cracks.

Finding local help for older adults and caregivers

If you are an older adult, a caregiver, or supporting someone who is medically vulnerable, local aging services may help connect you to programs in your area. The Eldercare Locator is a federal resource designed to connect people to services for older adults and caregivers.

FAQ

• How can I get help paying my electric bill if I use medical equipment at home? Start by calling your utility to ask about medical protections, payment plans, and any medical baseline or critical care programs. Then apply for energy assistance programs like LIHEAP and ask your clinician about documentation if your utility requires it.
• What is LIHEAP and can it help with my electric bill? LIHEAP is a federally funded program run through states, territories, and tribes that can help with heating and cooling costs, and sometimes electric bills depending on where you live.
• Can my doctor write something to prevent my electricity from being shut off? In some areas, utilities or state regulators accept a clinician-signed medical certification form or letter stating that loss of power could worsen a serious condition or stop you from using needed medical equipment.
• What should I say when I call the electric company about medical needs? Tell them you have a medical need for electricity in the home, ask for medical protections, request a payment plan, and ask what documents they require from a clinician.
• Is there “utility shutoff protection” for seniors or people with disabilities? Rules vary by state and provider, but some policies consider factors like disability, age, and severe weather. Ask your utility what applies to your account and location.
• What if my insulin needs refrigeration and the power is out? Keep insulin cool and away from heat and sunlight, avoid freezing it, and monitor blood sugar regularly. Contact your clinician as soon as you can after the emergency if you are unsure about insulin safety.
• Can weatherization reduce my electric bill long term? Weatherization can lower energy use by improving a home’s efficiency and safety, which can reduce monthly costs over time.
• What should I do if I lose power and my medical device stops working? Use your backup plan right away (battery, alternate location, emergency contacts). If your health is at immediate risk, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

References

• U.S. government overview of help with utility bills (LIHEAP and WAP): https://www.usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills USAGov
• LIHEAP program overview (HHS annual report fact sheet): https://ocsannualreport.acf.hhs.gov/annual-report-fy23/liheap-fact-sheet ocsannualreport.acf.hhs.gov
• Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE): https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program The Department of Energy's Energy.gov
• Power outage preparedness for people using home medical devices (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/prepare-your-health/take-action/power-sources.html CDC
• Medical devices and disaster tips, including backup power planning (FDA): https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/fda-offers-tips-about-medical-devices-and-natural-disasters U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Managing insulin during emergencies and power outages (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/articles/managing-insulin-in-emergency.html CDC
• Household energy insecurity and diabetes prevalence (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/24_0087.htm CDC
• Example of a state medical certification process (Maryland Office of People’s Counsel): https://opc.maryland.gov/Get-Help/Medical-Certification Maryland Office of People's Counsel
• Eldercare Locator (connects older adults and caregivers to local services): https://eldercare.acl.gov/ Elder Care
• Peer-reviewed discussion of energy burden and programs like LIHEAP and WAP (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7966972/ pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov