Stop a Utility Shutoff
Yes. Filing bankruptcy stops a utility shutoff right away, and Section 366 of the Bankruptcy Code bars a shutoff over the old balance while your case runs.
Stop a shutoff
Philadelphia & South Jersey
Behind on Your Utility Bills?
Utility debt relief means using bankruptcy to stop a shutoff and clear the past-due balance. Filing stops a utility shutoff right away, and the old balance is unsecured debt that Chapter 7 can wipe out or Chapter 13 can fold into one affordable plan. The shutoff threat over the old balance ends the day we file.
Qualifying filers may be eligible for our $999 flat fee Chapter 7.
The law that keeps your lights on
The moment you file, the automatic stay stops collection cold, and Section 366 of the Bankruptcy Code tells your utility it can't cut you off just because you filed or because of old unpaid bills. The utility can ask for a reasonable deposit for future service, and bills for what you use after filing still need to be paid. But the past-due balance that was drowning you? That's exactly the kind of debt bankruptcy erases.
Signs the utility debt is too much
- You've received a shutoff or termination notice
- You're juggling which utility to pay each month
- A payment arrangement already failed once
- Winter protection is ending and the balance is still there
- The utility bills are riding on top of credit card debt
What bankruptcy can do
- Stop a scheduled shutoff the day we file
- Wipe out past-due utility balances in Chapter 7
- Fold the arrears into one Chapter 13 payment
- Stop the collection calls and letters
- Clear the credit cards and loans behind the utility juggling too
Utilities we help with
PECO Bill Debt Relief
Behind on PECO? Filing bankruptcy stops a scheduled shutoff and can clear the past-due balance. Philadelphia's electric company can't cut you off for old bills once you file.
PECO bill debtPPL Bill Debt Relief
Behind on PPL? Bankruptcy stops the shutoff and can clear the balance. We've been up against this company: we recovered $20,000 from PPL for a client after an automatic-stay violation.
PPL bill debtPSE&G Bill Debt Relief
Behind on PSE&G? Filing bankruptcy stops a shutoff and can clear the past-due balance, gas and electric alike. We help PSE&G customers all over South Jersey from our Cherry Hill office.
PSE&G bill debtAtlantic City Electric Bill Debt Relief
Behind on Atlantic City Electric? Filing bankruptcy stops a shutoff and can clear the past-due balance. We help ACE customers all over South Jersey from our Egg Harbor Township office.
ACE bill debtSouth Jersey Gas Bill Debt Relief
Behind on South Jersey Gas? Filing bankruptcy stops a shutoff and can clear the past-due balance. We help SJG customers all over South Jersey from our Egg Harbor Township office.
SJ Gas bill debtAqua Water Bill Debt Relief
Behind on your Aqua water bill? Filing bankruptcy stops a shutoff and can clear the past-due balance, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey alike.
Aqua bill debtNew Jersey American Water Bill Debt Relief
Behind on New Jersey American Water? Filing bankruptcy stops a shutoff and can clear the past-due balance. NJ's largest water provider can't cut you off over old bills once you file.
NJ American Water debtCommon questions about Utility Debt Relief
Can bankruptcy really stop a utility shutoff?
Yes. The automatic stay kicks in the moment we file, and Section 366 bars the utility from cutting you off just because you filed or because of the old balance. The utility can ask for a reasonable deposit for future service, and you'll need to pay for what you use going forward, but the shutoff over old bills stops. Providing the deposit is what keeps that protection in place.
What happens to the money I already owe the utility?
The balance you owed before filing is unsecured debt. In Chapter 7 it's typically discharged along with your credit cards and medical bills. In Chapter 13 it goes into your plan, and whatever isn't paid by the end is discharged.
Does this work with my utility company?
Yes. Section 366 applies to utilities across the board, including PECO, PPL, PSE&G, Atlantic City Electric, and South Jersey Gas, and to water and sewer companies like Aqua and New Jersey American Water. It doesn't matter which company sent the shutoff notice.
What if the utility ignores the bankruptcy?
Then the utility has a problem, not you. Collecting or terminating in violation of the automatic stay has real consequences. We recovered $20,000 from PPL for a client after an automatic-stay violation, In re Minarik, Bankr. E.D. Pa. (2025).