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 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.
Yes. Filing bankruptcy stops a utility shutoff right away, and Section 366 of the Bankruptcy Code bars a shutoff over the old balance. The utility can still ask for a deposit, and it may shut off service if none is given within 20 days of filing.
Stop a shutoff
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 debtBehind on PPL? Bankruptcy stops the shutoff and can clear the balance. Mike has been up against this company: in a case he worked on, the court awarded $20,000 against PPL for an automatic-stay violation.
PPL bill debtBehind 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 debtBehind 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 debtBehind 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 debtBehind 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 debtBehind 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 debtYes. 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.
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.
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.
Then the utility has a problem, not you. Collecting or terminating in violation of the automatic stay has real consequences. In In re Minarik, Bankr. E.D. Pa. (2025), a case Mike worked on, the court awarded $20,000 against PPL for an automatic-stay violation.