Georgia

GAWeak

Days notice (electric)

Days notice (gas)

✗

Winter moratorium

✓

Medical exemption

What to do today

If you have a shutoff notice, the date on it is the one that matters. These steps work best in this order.

Call your utility before the date on your notice
Ask for a payment plan or a deferred payment arrangement. Most states require your utility to offer one, and asking before the date is what keeps your service on. The number is on your bill.
Apply for energy assistance
LIHEAP helps with utility bills and does not have to be paid back. Call the national referral line on 1-866-674-6327 weekdays 9am to 7pm Eastern, or visit energyhelp.us.
Dial 211 for local help
211 is free and connects you to local funds for utilities, rent and food. Some local agencies can pay a utility directly to stop a shutoff.
Ask about medical certification
Georgia recognises medical protections. If anyone in your home has a serious illness or relies on powered medical equipment, a note from a doctor can delay a shutoff. Ask your utility for the form today, because it usually has to be back within days.
Contact the regulator if your utility will not work with you
psc.ga.gov handles complaints against regulated utilities in Georgia. Filing one can pause a disconnection while it is looked at.

Electric Gas Water Medical Low Income Regulator

Electric Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required5 days

Reconnection fee$50 to $60 standard, at 2 of 3 utilities below

Seasonal and weather protections: No winter moratorium. Georgia has no statewide calendar-based winter disconnection prohibition.

Major Utilities

Georgia Power (So…Sawnee EMC Cobb EMC

Georgia Power (Southern Company)

Statewide investor-owned utility serving more than 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties

5-day notice

Utility must make good faith effort to contact customer at least 2 days before disconnection via phone, certified mail, or other methods

SUMMER PROTECTION: Residential service will not be disconnected if a National Weather Service Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect or forecasted for the county by 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled disconnection date

WINTER PROTECTION (GA PSC rule): Service protected if forecasted local temperature below 32°F for a 24-hour period starting 8:00 a.m. on disconnection date (Nov 15–Mar 15)

MEDICAL EXEMPTION (GA PSC rule): Service cannot be disconnected when customer has serious illness aggravated by disconnection

requires written notification and physician/health official certification within 10 days

Minimum 5 days written notice required before disconnection (GA PSC rule)

Disconnection only on business days when utility representatives are available

Customers receive at least 21 days after meter reading to pay

disconnection permitted if bill unpaid 45+ days from statement date

customer must agree to pay past-due balance in equal installments after March 15 through October 15 while paying current bills

Reconnection fee waived for customers qualifying for the Income Qualified Discount Service Rider

Where service must be disconnected at the pole, underground transformer, substation, or network facilities, reconnect fee is $150.00

Reconnection fee:$50.00 where service was disconnected at the meter; $150.00 per service point where it had to be disconnected at the pole, underground transformer, substation or network facilities. Waived for customers on the Income Qualified Discount Service Rider.

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (404-657-3427); Project SHARE (Salvation Army emergency bill assistance, 1-800-25SHARE); Income-Qualified Discount (up to $33.50/month for households at or below 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines); EASE (free home energy improvements for low-income customers at or below 300% FPG); EASE for Seniors (free upgrades for customers 60+, at or below 200% FPG); Budget Billing available; United Way 211; Georgia Community Action Agencies via C.A.R.L. locator tool.

"Georgia Power Company Rules, Regulations and Rate Schedules for Electric Service." georgiapower.com. Retrieved 20 Sep 2026.

Sawnee EMC

Parts of seven North Georgia counties: Cherokee, Forsyth, Dawson, Lumpkin, Hall, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties

5-day notice

utility must make good faith effort to contact customer at least 2 days before via phone, certified mail, or other methods

MEDICAL EXEMPTION: Physician certification required that life-threatening condition requires electrical service

certification sent directly from doctor's office within 5 business days

certification valid for lesser of duration of condition or 1 month

maximum 2 certification renewals before account must be paid in full

WEATHER: GA PSC seasonal rules apply (Nov 15–Mar 15 freeze protection

summer heat advisory protection)

GA PSC rules apply: minimum 5 days written notice required before disconnection

disconnection only on business days. $60 reconnection fee for standard reconnection during regular hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m

Mon–Fri)

$125 for after-hours/weekend/holiday reconnection

Disconnection fee of $60 charged at time of disconnect for nonpayment

Payment arrangements: maximum 4 per 12-month period

arrangements only on balances less than 60 days old

max $500 for 30-days-past-due balances

no arrangements on 60+ day past-due balances

service kept on with reasonable payment arrangements

After disconnection for nonpayment, all outstanding charges must be paid prior to reconnection

Prepaid metering members not subject to standard reconnect fees

Reconnection fee:$60 (standard, during business hours 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon–Fri); $125 (after hours, weekends, or holidays). $60 disconnection fee also charged at time of nonpayment disconnect.

Assistance Programs

Budget Billing Plan available; LIHEAP (404-657-3426); Salvation Army (up to $200 one-time vouchers); Sawnee Foundation emergency grants; North Fulton Community Charity; Norcross Co-Op Ministry; Community Helping Place; Prepaid Metering Program (avoids disconnect/reconnect fees); free energy audits.

"Sawnee EMC Service Rules and Regulations (March 2022, filed with GA PSC)." services.psc.ga.gov. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Cobb EMC

Parts of five counties in northwest metro Atlanta: Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Paulding, and small sections of Fulton counties; approximately 200,000 members

5-day notice

MEDICAL EXEMPTION: When disconnecting service might pose immediate danger due to illness, cooperative provides at least 7 days notice of disconnection if required health alert documentation is provided and kept current

WEATHER: GA PSC seasonal protections apply (summer heat advisory

winter freeze Nov 15-Mar 15)

Georgia PSC rule Ga. Comp

R. & Regs

515-3-2-.02 (electric) requires at least five (5) days' written notice of a proposed disconnection, binding every Georgia electric utility including EMCs like Cobb

Account eligible for disconnection when past-due balance is greater than 45 days old

At least two notices attempted before disconnection: first notice printed on bill

second notice mailed or hand-delivered to billing address

Cobb EMC's own Service Rules and Regulations (https://cobbemc.com/sites/default/files/documents/directors_reports/Policies/100-500-Service-Rules-and-Regulations-2.15.22.pdf) states the current reconnection fees, kept out of the reconnection_fee field itself because that document doesn't restate the notice-day figure, and citing it alone was what triggered the original flag: $40.00 reconnect fee for standard meter reconnection

$300.00 where a crew must be dispatched for off-meter reconnection

Prepay program members exempt

Before reconnecting, security deposit or additional deposit required up to maximum allowed

Returned check or breached payment arrangement: account may be disconnected immediately without further notice

Exemption also if household affected by a recent death

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS: Extension granted when satisfactory arrangements made

no broken arrangements in preceding 6 months

Late payment charge: greater of $10 or 1.5% of past-due balance

Service work only 8 a.m.-5 p.m

Mon-Fri

no routine work on holidays

Reconnection fee:Standard reconnect fee applies, higher fee if a crew must be dispatched for off-meter reconnection; prepay program members exempt (see notes for current dollar amounts)

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (404-656-2323); Heating Energy Assistance Team H.E.A.T. Inc. (678-406-0212); United Way (404-614-1000); Project SHARE (Salvation Army); Senior Discount Program; MUST Ministries; Salvation Army; county DFACS offices; HopeWorks furnace/water heater assistance for qualifying seniors (404-872-0167 ext. 1); Payment Arrangements (770-429-2100 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.).

"Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 515-3-2-.02, Limitations on Disconnection, via Cornell LII." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Gas Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required5 days

Reconnection feeVaries by utility

Major Utilities

Atlanta Gas Light (Southern Company Gas)

Statewide Georgia — more than 1.6 million customers. AGL owns and operates the distribution infrastructure; billing and customer relationships handled by certified Retail Natural Gas Marketers.

5-day notice

Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) is the Local Distribution Company (LDC) that owns the pipes and physically executes disconnection, but billing and customer relationships are handled by certified Retail Natural Gas Marketers

SEASONAL/WINTER PROTECTIONS (Rule 515-3-3-.04): Between November 15 and March 15, disconnection is prohibited if: (1) forecasted low temperature for the 48-hour period beginning on the disconnection date is below 32°F, (2) the consumer agrees in writing to pay the past-due balance in equal installments beginning after March 15 through October 15, and (3) the consumer pays current bills on time

MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS (Rule 515-3-3-.05/.06): Service must continue if disconnection would seriously aggravate the health of any permanent resident

written physician statement required within 10 days

hold period is shorter of illness duration or one month

Georgia operates a deregulated natural gas market

Disconnection rules are governed by GA PSC Chapter 515-3-3

NOTICE REQUIREMENTS: AGL (as EDC) must provide at least 5 days written advance notice before disconnection (Rule 515-3-3-.02(A))

The marketer (billing company) must provide at least 15 days written notice (Rule 515-3-3-.02(B))

Notice must include earliest disconnection date, amount due, reason for disconnection, phone number for inquiries, procedures to prevent disconnection, and information about assistance programs

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS: Consumers are entitled to at least one reasonable payment arrangement in writing prior to each disconnection, unless they previously failed to honor an arrangement

one renewal permitted

RECONNECTION: EDC cannot disconnect on Fridays or national holidays (Rule 515-3-3-.08)

No reconnection fee may be charged if disconnection was made in error

Reconnection fee:Not set by GA PSC rules for nonpayment — varies by certified natural gas marketer per their individual tariffs. Consumers should check their marketer's tariff or contact them directly.

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (federal program, 404-657-3427 or 404-657-3426; enrollment opens December 1 for seniors 65+, January 1 for all others); Project Share / Salvation Army (800-257-4273); United Way 211 (dial 211 or 404-614-1000); Senior Citizens Discount Program (customers 65+ at or below 200% FPG; monthly discount up to $14 off base charge); HopeWorks for seniors 60+ for furnace/water heater repairs (404-872-0167); Heating Energy Assistance Team H.E.A.T. (678-406-0212); St. Vincent de Paul Georgia (678-892-6160); Low-Income Weatherization Program through Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

"Georgia Rules and Regulations — Chapter 515-3-3: Residential Gas Utility Service Disconnections." rules.sos.ga.gov. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Water Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice requiredNot regulated / varies

Major Utilities

Atlanta Dept of W…Gwinnett County W…Cobb County Water…

Atlanta Department of Watershed Management

City of Atlanta, Georgia

In 2025 the mayor issued a moratorium on residential shutoffs through January 31, 2026 related to federal funding uncertainty

No documented seasonal/weather or medical exemption protections found in publicly available sources

Under Atlanta Code of Ordinances § 154-120, service termination occurs no later than 30 days from the due date for monthly bills (60 days for bi-monthly bills)

In practice, the department delivers a door-hanger notice of pending disconnection, and a second door-hanger with the specific disconnection date if the account remains unpaid

The department's disconnection policy page is password-protected and not publicly accessible, so the exact advance notice period in days could not be verified

Reconnection fee:$45.00

Assistance Programs

Care & Conserve Program: bill payment assistance plus free plumbing repairs and water-efficiency upgrades for low-to-moderate income customers with accounts at least 6 billing cycles old and $300+ past due (404-546-3620); Senior Citizen Discount Program: 30% discount for customers 65+ with household income ≤$25,000/year; F.L.O.A.T. Initiative: interest-free payment plans (program has ended); ATL311 (404-546-0311) for general social service agency referrals.

"Will I have to pay to have my water service reconnected if it was disconnected due to non-payment? — ATL311 Knowledge Base." atl311.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Gwinnett County Water Resources

Gwinnett County, Georgia

No documented seasonal/weather or medical exemption protections found in public sources

Any past-due account is subject to disconnection

Every bill with a past-due balance includes notice of the scheduled disconnection date

a postcard with the specific disconnection date is also mailed

The specific number of advance days between notice and disconnection is not stated in publicly available FAQ or rate schedule documents

Standard reconnection is next business day

same-day reconnection available at $75 if requested by 4:00 PM Monday–Friday (excluding holidays), subject to technician availability

Meter tampering incurs a $250 fee for first occurrence

Reconnection fee:$25.00 standard (next business day); $75.00 same-day reconnection

Assistance Programs

Water Resources Assistance Program (WRAP): free plumbing services, septic system repair, and water-efficient fixture installation for eligible residents ([email protected] or 678-602-4559); payment arrangements available before disconnection (call 678-602-4559); community nonprofit assistance including Duluth Cooperative Ministry, Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, Latin American Association, Lilburn Cooperative Ministry, North Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, The Salvation Army–Lawrenceville, Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul–Georgia; Gwinnett Health and Human Services (770-822-8850). Note: LIHEAP in Georgia covers energy only, not water; LIHWAP federal funding has expired.

"Gwinnett County DWR Rates and Fee Schedule — January 2026." gwinnettcounty.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Cobb County Water System

Cobb County, Georgia

No documented seasonal/weather or medical exemption protections found in public-facing sources

Accounts become delinquent 10 days after the bill due date, at which point a $10.00 late fee is assessed and the account becomes subject to disconnection

A $50.00 delinquency processing fee is assessed when the disconnection order is created

Cobb County Code of Ordinances § 122-47 governs termination of service and references 'due notice' before termination, but the specific advance notice period in days is not stated in publicly available policy pages

Full past-due balance plus $50.00 delinquency fee must be paid before 3:00 PM for same-day restoration

payments after 3:00 PM result in next-business-day restoration

Online payments trigger automatic reconnection

Returned payment fee is $30.00

two returned payments require cash/money order for one year

Reconnection fee:$50.00 delinquency processing fee (assessed when disconnection order is created; must be paid with past-due balance to restore service)

Assistance Programs

External organization list provided by Cobb County Water (call 770-419-6200); includes The Salvation Army and Tillman House Foundation (utility/rental assistance for ZIP codes 30060, 30080, 30081, 30082, 30126, 30339); email [email protected] to hold service during assistance application; payment plans available. Note: LIHEAP in Georgia covers energy only, not water; LIHWAP federal funding has expired.

"Delinquency — Cobb County Georgia Water System." cobbcounty.gov. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Medical & Vulnerable Household Exemptions

Service shall not be disconnected to a customer with a serious illness that would be aggravated by disconnection, provided the customer notifies the utility in writing or orally (with written notice within 10 days) and furnishes a written statement from a physician, county board of health, hospital, or clinic. Postponement is for the shorter of the illness duration or one month; may be renewed once.

Low-Income Protections

LIHEAP available. Georgia Power and natural gas marketers participate in the Georgia Natural Gas Low-Income Program. PSC requires payment plan options.

Your State Regulator

File a complaint or get help from Georgia's utility regulator →

Data last verified: 2026-09-21. Rules may change — verify with your state regulator.