Help me!!! I just found out gas shut off.

oh no! I'm sorry. Do you have a gas water heater, or is it cold enough to need the heater running?

I would call them tomorrow, explain the situation and see what they can do to work with you. I have no idea if they will let you start service under your name. Good luck. :)

did they send you a disconnect notice? just wondering becuz i'm behind also and i've talked to some people and they've received notices of disconnection and i haven't. just want to be prepared. thanks

I'm so sorry... I know how stressful that is. I'm waiting for them to show up to my door... Here's a thought to make u feel better though mine is $1700 right now and deliquent by 4 mo. Utilities don't shut off during winter by government orders but come spring here they come.

Don't know if you can add to T&C might want to call them. Try calling them. If it's in hubby's name and he has not authorized you they will tell u so. If you are not deliquent on any previous back bill payment plans they have to set u up on on they have 6 months one... they divide it out by 6 months and you will have to pay that plus your currents mo bill. If u miss a payment they will be out immediately and disconnect again. Next option is 3 months. If you get disconnected a 3rd time for deliquency... have to pay the bill in full. But call them!

check your area for local nonprofits that provide emergency bill/cash assistance. you should also check with your local social services office, especially if you have children or are low income. Even if you are not, check anyway, they may be able to provide some temporary assistance.

Some banks can extend credit during times of emergencies. It usually depends upon the business relation you have with them. Explain your problems to the supervisor and he might be able to offer you some assistance. It might be worth giving a try.

Local churches and organizations help people in these types of situations. I know what you are going through. We had our gas turned off in October 2005 for non payment because of the damn payday loans taking the whole paycheck. I contacted one of the local churches and explained the situation to them and they paid the gas bill for me. The bill was 4 months behind.

Here in Columbus, there are utility assistance programs around.

Also if you have sick or disabled persons in your home, I don't think they can completely disconnect you. I know here in California they have some law like that.

I work for an electric company, and we have programs onsite for peole in need. Contact your gas company immediately to find out any options they may have..Even if they can't help you themselves they may be able to help you in the right direction. There are many different assistant programs in most areas. Good luck, and my thoughts are with you

I hear you. I had electricity shut off because Mr. Stupid didn't put the account in his name even after asking me to move out and back in again (for details see My Story) and he didn't bother to pay it either. I got it back, my credit didn't get ding'd, but since this is May, you don't have to worry about freezing, so until you can feasibly get it back, try to stick to microwaveable foods, charcoal grilling, or fondue. I've learned to do without before, my new husband used to light chafing gel candles instead of turn on electric heat, to save money, it was cold but we never suffered hypothermia.

Here in memphis where I live, if you get a cut off notice, you can go down to their office and speak with a counciler and they will set you up on a payment plan to help get the balance paid. I haven't had to do it recently but I have had to do it in the past. I live in the city so my lights, water and gas is all on the same bill and ran by the same company. I get one bill for it all. The light company here will let you go two months without paying, but then you have to pay up or get a cut off notice. If you get the notice, then you can go in and they'll work with you. If you wait until they cut you off, then you'll have the reconnect charge to deal with too.
But if you have an electric stove, then losing your gas won't effect you too much, just maybe with taking a hot shower if your hot water heater is gas. I suggest you go to the gas company and see if they will put you on a plan to get it cut back on. let us know how it goes. shirley

If push comes to shove, baby wipes are good for sponge-baths! I know I must sound like a rediculous survivalist type, but I've been where you are and didn't have any choice at one point to hang in there. if that becomes your case, I'm just giving you little pointers, I'm not trying to be pessimistic. :)

Do they have a community action commission in your area? They might be able to help you. We have fuel oil so we have to pay for it when it comes in the winter months. It was very expensive this past winter so we put an old wood stove in the house. We used that a lot to cut down on the fuel oil expense. I'm sure there will be some agency that can help you out if your explain your situation to them. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I was in an accident last month and my car got totalled. My settlement check was enough to pay off the car loan and I will have enough left over to buy a decent used car and pay off a couple of small bills. I'm sure something will work out for you.

Thks guys for your thoughts. I am so depressed. They would not do anything. I was 4 mths behind total of $553. I had to borrow it from a relative & be totally humiliated. I had to explain everything. Payday loans and all. And, they wouldn't come out today after I paid it. They wait until the next day & I have to be here to wait for them. Sooooo I have to take off work tomorrow to wait. I begged them to come today because I was off. They just kept telling me we don't do same day connect. This sucks. I had to lie to my boss why I needed off. I feel like a big loser scum.

olive1276 yes I did receive a disc notc but I paid it online w/ my old bank acct# to stall a little while. Well it was returned obviously & they shut off w/out a new notc....All of this becuase of payday loans. I really thought I could swing it a little while longer. God how dumb can I be?

Igall, you're not big loser scum. If YOU'RE big loser scum, than so are the rest of us. You've made some mistakes. :)

We got your back! Vent to us at any time.

Igsll-no need to beat yourself up and feel like a looser. You got sucked up in the pdl nightmare and got in over your head. If you learned from it,itwill be of benefit to you in the future. Believe me,I'm like Ari,I mad some choices,some out of necessity,that got me in a bind. Had to make do and od without. But finally,hopefully,I have learned from my choices and won't have to do those again. We can't be a failure if we have learned and gained wisdom from our choices,it can only make us stronger. I'm not trying to be cold hearted,I know because I have been where you have been,and alot of places I hope you don't have to go.Today is a new day,we get to start all over and new-hang in there :) ...Karen

YOU ARE NOT A LOSER!!! So you got into a bind---you are doing the right thing by trying to correct your financial situation. You did what you had to do for your family. The main thing is you got it paid. I'm glad you were able to get some help.

You're not a loser! We all make mistakes, learn from them, and take a few indignifying lumps along the way!

Igall,

Please don't feel that way...like a loser scum. You are not by yourself. I am facing so many obstacles right now.

I also got a payday loan, I actually have 2, one is working with me and the other is not. I was out of work for about 1 month and got really behind in ALL my bills. As a result I am being threaten and sued by a collection agency that represents the payday loan place (Ace Check Cashing).

My electric has been off for 2 weeks (I get it back on tomorrow, thank the Lord) so I sat in darkness because of payday loans and had to eat carryout food and coldcuts (everthing runs on electric) my bill was 3 months behind. I am getting help from the Salvation Army.

Again you are not alone, we all that are going through a tough financial time right now will come out of this ON TOP, God has this in his plan.

Igall, you absolutely are not a loser! Things happen to all of us..Now you can move ahead.
Looking4answers, you've come to the right place..Welcome to the forums.

As everyone else has said - YOU ARE NOT A LOSER! 1) Gas is extremely expensive right now 2) Utility companies are notorious for turning things off the first minute you're late 3) We all have had our situations that look rediculous BUT that is why we are all here. For support. Also, just like everyone else has said, most communities have assistance programs. I know the gas company I use lets you round your bill up to the nearest dollar and that money goes into an elderly assistance program (not really for us non-elderly - but there has to be something for us out there). I kind of like Ari's idea about bathing with wipes... reminds me camping :)

To sum it all up, there are predators out there who sweet talk us and then rob us blind, life is unfair, and those on the outside and be selfish and uncaring. We're all here for each other when society bends us over.

I love you guys. I love this forum. I really don't know what I would have done if I would not have found this website. Today, I am trying to think of everything I have learned from this whole awful experience & to be thankful for what I have. I just feel like I can't forgive myself for what I have done.

Forgive yourself! You're just as human as the rest of us, and you know what? There's nothing you can do about that! You know deep down inside that you WILL get all this sh!t squared away.

Igall, do not let this get you down S____ happens.. to everyone... you are neither a loser or scum, just someone who is in a tough spot right now things will get better :D

You are human and we all make mistakes. Don't get down on yourself, keep your head up, it will get better!! Stick with your program and there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Some people in this forum have lost their homes on top of losing utilities. They've survived and pulled through stronger than ever, and so can you!

lgall---This is undoubtedly a very low period in your life. Things will start to look up for you once everything is sorted outand then you will begin to feel a little better.

lgall..
Loser? NOT!
Believe me you're not alone! Does your gas company have any sort of budget billing? I'm sure they have some sort of plan for people that need a reduced monthly bill. Most utility companies have some sort of plan like that. I went on the budget billing for electric company and I paid the same amount every month no matter how much I used. They average out your bills for the previous 12 months and that's what you will pay monthly.
Try signing up with that for your other bills so that may offset your gas bill...
If you every get the chance and some extra cash someday, switch your whole household to electricity! It will save you in the long run, since it doesn't look like the price of gas is going to take a downturn any time soon...