Virginia

VAModerate

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
Virginia 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
scc.virginia.gov handles complaints against regulated utilities in Virginia. Filing one can pause a disconnection while it is looked at.

Electric Gas Water Medical Low Income Regulator

Electric Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days

Reconnection fee$5.05 to $53 standard, at 4 of 4 utilities below

Seasonal and weather protections: No statewide winter moratorium. Virginia SCC does not have a blanket winter disconnection prohibition. Existing utility tariffs approved by the SCC contain protections for medically vulnerable customers. Good faith contact attempt required at least 1 day before disconnection (phone, email, or in-person).

Major Utilities

Dominion Energy V…Appalachian Power…Old Dominion Powe…NOVEC (Northern V…

Dominion Energy Virginia (Virginia Electric and Power Company / VEPCO)

Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and most of central Virginia — approximately 70% of the state; approximately 2.7 million customers

10-day notice

A medical certificate from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner postpones shutoff at least 30 days, usable up to twice per 12 months (20 VAC 5-330-40)

No disconnection within 30 days of a communicable disease public health emergency declaration

Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until the account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code 56-245.1:4)

No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or below 32F or at or above 92F within 24 hours of the scheduled disconnection (56-245.1:3)

No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday

Dominion's own tariff (Section XVII, filed 12-9-25, effective 1-1-26) sets the reconnection service charge at $5.05 for a residential customer with a communicating (AMI) meter and $22.64 for a residential customer with a non-communicating digital meter, matching the figures already on file

All notices must be given in English and Spanish

Reconnection fee:$5.05 (smart meter/AMI); $22.64 (non-communicating digital meter)

Assistance Programs

PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Program): monthly bill capped at 10% of income (electric heat) or 6% (other heat) for income ≤150% FPL; no deposits or late fees; balance cleared after 12 on-time payments. EnergyShare: up to $600 (Oct 1–May 31 heating) or $300 (Jun 1–Sep 30 cooling); no income requirement; crisis-based; apply via 2-1-1. State LIHEAP/VEAP: heating benefit $181–$634; 150% FPL; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov). State Crisis Assistance: Jan 1–Mar 15.

"Virginia Electric and Power Company Complete Filed Tariff (Terms and Conditions, Sections XVI-XVII)." dominionenergy.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Appalachian Power Company (APCo / AEP)

Western and southwestern Virginia including Roanoke, Lynchburg, and coalfield counties; approximately 540,000 Virginia customers

10-day notice

A medical certificate postpones shutoff at least 30 days, usable up to twice per 12 months (20 VAC 5-330-40)

Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until the account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code 56-245.1:4)

No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or below 32F or at or above 92F within 24 hours of the scheduled disconnection (56-245.1:3)

No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday

The SCC ordered Appalachian to submit a plan to reduce residential disconnections by March 2026 and directed an 18-month payment plan pilot

HB 2621 froze reconnection fees from July 1, 2025 through March 1, 2026

that freeze has since ended, and the reconnection charges below, confirmed against the company's own Virginia tariff, apply again

Reconnection fee:$20.00 (standard meter, remote reconnection); $60.00 (alternative meter, standard business hours or next business day); $85.00 (alternative meter, same-day 5-7 p.m.); $115.00 (alternative meter, expedited next non-business day)

Assistance Programs

Neighbor to Neighbor Program (Dollar Energy Fund): grants up to $300; income ≤150% FPL; balance ≥$100; prior payment effort ≥$100 in past 3 months; Oct 1–Sep 30; apply at dollarenergy.org. PIPP: income ≤150% FPL. EnergyShare: crisis-based; apply via 2-1-1 or call 800-956-4237. State LIHEAP/VEAP: $181–$634 heating; 150% FPL.

"Virginia S.C.C. Tariff No. 28, Appalachian Power Company, Terms and Conditions of Standard Service." appalachianpower.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Old Dominion Power Company (Kentucky Utilities / LG&E KU Energy / PPL Corp)

Far southwestern Virginia coalfield counties: City of Norton; Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, and Wise Counties; approximately 28,000 customers

10-day notice

No disconnect within 30 days of communicable disease public health emergency

Medical certificate postpones shutoff per 20 VAC 5-330-40

Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code § 56-245.1:4)

No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F or ≥92°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3)

No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday

ODP's own current tariff (S.C.C

20, Sheet 105, effective with service rendered on and after July 1, 2024) states, for residential nonpayment specifically, only that the Company follows the notice and disconnection-restriction requirements of Va. Code §§ 44-146.29:4, 56-245.1:3 and 56-245.1:4 (the 60-day arrears threshold and two-channel notice by mail/email/text/phone/door hanger) without separately restating a fixed day count there

the tariff's explicit "at least ten (10) days written notice" language appears one item earlier, for discontinuance due to a rules-and-regulations violation, and for non-residential customers' nonpayment terminations

Virginia's general utility statute (Va. Code § 56-247.1(A)(4)) independently requires that "no electric or gas utility shall terminate a customer's service without 10 days' notice by mail," and this floor is not repealed by the newer nonpayment-specific statute, so notice_days of 10 is kept as the legally accurate figure for residential nonpayment as well, consistent with how Dominion Energy Virginia's own tariff (a sister Virginia utility) still explicitly retains a residential 10-day notice for nonpayment

Disconnecting and Reconnecting Service Charge: $53.00 for customers without a remote-capable meter who are disconnected for nonpayment or a Terms and Conditions violation

no charge for customers with remote disconnection/reconnection-capable (AMI) meters, and no charge for customers who qualify for low-income energy assistance

Reconnection fee:$53.00 (customers without a remote-capable/AMI meter, disconnected for nonpayment or Terms and Conditions violation); no charge for customers with remote disconnection/reconnection-capable meters or for customers qualifying for low-income energy assistance

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (Virginia EAP): 150% FPL; $181–$634 heating benefit. Budget Payment Plan: customized monthly amounts based on 12-month average. EnergyShare: crisis-based; call 2-1-1.

"Old Dominion Power Company Electric Tariff, S.C.C. No. 20 (Terms and Conditions, Discontinuance of Service / Miscellaneous Service Charges)." lge-ku.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

NOVEC (Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative)

Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, and surrounding northern Virginia counties; rural areas of Culpeper, Clarke, Frederick, Rappahannock, and Stafford counties

10-day notice

Medical certificate postpones shutoff per 20 VAC 5-330-40

Cannot disconnect until account is 60 days past due

Written notification on billing statement giving 10 days to pay (only written notice issued)

Courtesy call made, then service may be disconnected after 2 additional days

No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday (§ 56-245.1:3)

No disconnect when temperature ≤32°F or ≥92°F within 24 hours

Service restored next business day after payment (Mon–Fri 7:30am–4:00pm). $40 collection fee is charged at time of disconnection in addition to $45 reconnection fee

Reconnection fee:$45 (plus $40 collection fee charged at disconnection)

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (Virginia VEAP): 150% FPL; $181–$634 heating benefit; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp. EnergyShare: crisis-based; call 2-1-1.

"Payment Policies | NOVEC Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative." novec.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Gas Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days

Reconnection feeVaries by utility

Major Utilities

Columbia Gas of V…Washington Gas (A…Virginia Natural …Roanoke Gas Co (R…

Columbia Gas of Virginia (NiSource)

98 communities across approximately 65% of Virginia; more than 290,000 customers; headquartered in Chester (Chesterfield County); serves Richmond area and central/western Virginia

Medical certificate from licensed physician or nurse practitioner postpones shutoff minimum 30 days

Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code § 56-245.1:4)

No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3 gas provision)

No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday

usable up to 2 times per 12 months (20 VAC 5-330-40)

Reconnect requires full past due balance + reconnection fee + security deposit

adult over 18 must be present

Reconnection fee amount not accessible from primary sources

NOTE: Columbia Gas of Virginia is a NiSource subsidiary — NOT related to Dominion Energy Virginia

Still operating under the Columbia Gas of Virginia brand

Assistance Programs

Virginia Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP): $181–$634 heating benefit; 150% FPL; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov) or 1-855-635-4370. LIHEAP Crisis Grants (HeatShare via Dollar Energy Fund): Nov 1–Mar 16; max $410 utility bill payment; 150% FPL. HeatShare (Dollar Energy Fund last resort): for those who have exhausted other assistance. Deferred payment arrangements available. Contact: 1-800-543-8911.

"Shut Off and Reconnect Process — Columbia Gas of Virginia." columbiagasva.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Washington Gas (AltaGas)

Northern Virginia and DC suburbs: Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties; Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park

14-day notice

Medical certificate postpones shutoff

reconnection for medically certified households does not require upfront payment (reconnect fee may appear on next bill)

Washington Gas provides written notice of termination at least 14 days before scheduled disconnection (higher than the 10-day tariff convention at other VA gas utilities)

Notice must include: customer name, account number, service address, reasons for termination, scheduled date, reconnection charges, total amount due, customer rights, complaint contacts, and notification procedures for elderly/disabled occupants

Cannot disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3)

Cannot disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday

Alternative payment plans available for qualified customers

Assistance Programs

Virginia Energy Assistance Program (VEAP/LIHEAP): 150% FPL; apply via CommonHelp or call 211. Weatherization Assistance Program: partners with Community Housing Partners; no-cost audits and upgrades; contact [email protected] or 540-665-0200. Income Qualifying Energy Efficiency Program: no-cost audits and health/safety inspections. Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF): joint with Salvation Army; any fuel type; washingtonareafuelfund.org. Arrearage Management Program (AMP): 12-month plan with monthly arrearage forgiveness on on-time payment; contact [email protected] or 703-750-4399. EnergyShare: call 2-1-1.

"Termination Policy Statement — Washington Gas." washingtongas.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Virginia Natural Gas (Southern Company Gas)

Southeast Virginia — Hampton Roads region, Peninsula (James River north and south shores), and Middle Peninsula; more than 300,000 customers

10-day notice

the last of these (§ 56-247.1(A)(4)) is the general requirement that no electric or gas utility terminate service without 10 days' mailed notice, confirming this is a real, currently-operative figure and not merely a historical one. reconnection_fee is null: VNG's customer-facing billing page states a $40 'seasonal connection and/or reconnection fee ... charged if service is disconnected and resumed within nine months,' but VNG's currently effective SCC-filed Schedule of Rates and Charges (filed 12-18-2025, superseding the September 2023 schedule) lists three different, larger figures instead — Service Reconnection Charge $25.00, Seasonal Reconnection Charge $50.00, Accelerated Reconnection Charge $50.00 — none of which is $40

VNG's own "Residential Disconnection for Nonpayment Policy" (posted July 1, 2024) states verbatim: "VNG provides notices to residential customers of nonpayment of bills or fees ten (10) days prior to the date of a pending disconnection," by U.S. mail plus email and phone where available

No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday

No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or below 32F within 24 hours of the scheduled disconnection

Disconnections suspended for the duration of a Governor-declared communicable-disease state of emergency

Policy is stated "in accordance with Va. Code §§ 56-245.1:3, 56-245.1:4, 56-247.1"

This looks like the same failure mode PIPELINE.md warns about (a customer-facing page serving a stale figure the company's own newer filed tariff has superseded, as happened with Peoples Gas's reconnection charge in Illinois), but which of the three current charges corresponds to the old $40 description could not be determined with confidence this pass, so the field is left null rather than guessing

Assistance Programs

EnergyShare (Salvation Army): grants for income-eligible customers, seniors, and veterans; appointments required; Hampton Roads 757-543-8100; Virginia Peninsula 757-838-4875; Central Virginia 804-225-7470. LIHEAP (VEAP): 150% FPL; $181–$634 heating benefit; apply Oct–Nov. Low Income Weatherization Program: Project HOMES (peninsula) and Community Housing Partners (southside). Budget Plan: equal monthly payments. Deferred Payment Arrangements available.

"Virginia Natural Gas Residential Disconnection for Nonpayment Policy (posted July 1, 2024)." virginianaturalgas.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Roanoke Gas Company (RGC Resources)

Roanoke Valley region: City of Roanoke and portions of Roanoke County, Bedford County, Botetourt County, and surrounding areas

Medical certificate postpones shutoff per 20 VAC 5-330-40

Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code § 56-245.1:4)

No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3 gas provision)

No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday

Reconnection requires: full past due balance + reconnection fee + security deposit

adult over 18 must be present

technician must light equipment (additional charge applies)

Reconnection charge applies only when reconnection requested within 12 months of disconnection

Reconnection fee dollar amount not accessible from primary sources (Tariff No. 9 PDF was binary-unreadable)

Call 540-777-4427 to schedule

Assistance Programs

HeatShare (Salvation Army partnership): emergency heating assistance for low-income residents facing shutoff; contact (540) 343-5335. LIHEAP (VEAP): 150% FPL; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp. Budget Billing Plan: equal monthly payments. Local DSS offices: Roanoke City (540) 853-2591, Roanoke County (540) 387-6087, Bedford County (540) 586-7750, Botetourt County (540) 591-5960, Montgomery County (540) 382-6990. Dial 2-1-1 for referrals.

"Gas Service Reconnection Process — Roanoke Gas." roanokegas.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Water Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice requiredNot regulated / varies

Major Utilities

Virginia American…City of Richmond …Newport News Wate…

Virginia American Water (American Water Works / AWIA)

Largest investor-owned water utility in Virginia; approximately 350,000 people in 42 communities including: City of Alexandria, Dale City/Prince William County, Hopewell, Waverly, Northern Neck, Cape Charles, and multiple other communities throughout the state

10-day notice

No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or above 92F within 24 hours (56-245.1:3's water provision carries no cold-weather protection)

A medical certificate postpones shutoff at least 30 days

a certified household's reconnection fee, if any, may appear on the next bill rather than being required upfront (20 VAC 5-330-40)

Regulated by the Virginia SCC

Virginia-American Water's own current tariff (S.C.C

Va. No

12, Rule No

10, filed July 29, 2024, effective July 1, 2024) sets two tracks: (a) service for non-residential accounts, or for reasons other than nonpayment (waste, tampering, denied access, rule violations), may be discontinued after "ten (10) days' written or printed notice"

(b) residential accounts specifically may be discontinued once 60 days past due, after notice using at least two of mail, email, text message, phone call, or door hanger — the newer 2024 framework, which does not separately restate a fixed day count in that subsection

Virginia's general utility statute (Va. Code § 56-247.1(A)(6)) independently and specifically covers water utility nonpayment: "A public utility providing water service shall not terminate service for nonpayment until it first sends the customer written notice by mail 10 days in advance of making the termination but, in no event, shall it terminate the customer's service until 20 days after the customer's bill has become due." This statute is not repealed by the newer 56-245.1:4 framework, so notice_days of 10 is kept as the legally accurate figure for residential nonpayment

No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday

Virginia American Water's general rate case (Case PUR-2025-00185, filed November 2025) settled June 9, 2026 for a smaller increase than originally requested, which mooted the previously stated 'reconnection fee rising to $30 pending SCC approval.' No current reachable tariff document states the resulting dollar figure, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating either the old $25 or the now-superseded $30 proposal

Virginia American Water provides drinking water for the City of Alexandria (purchasing water from Fairfax Water)

AlexRenew handles Alexandria wastewater only

Assistance Programs

H2O Help to Others Program: grants up to $500/year; income ≤150% FPL ($1,956/month for 1 person; $2,643 for 2); must have received shutoff notice or be disconnected; minimum $50 paid in past 90 days; administered by Dollar Energy Fund; apply at dollarenergy.org/MyApp or 1-800-452-6863; Oct 1–Sep 30. LIHWAP: federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program; 150% FPL; past-due balance required. Payment arrangements available by calling 1-800-452-6863.

"Virginia-American Water Company Tariff, S.C.C. Va. No. 12 (Rules and Regulations, Rule No. 10 - Discontinuance of Service)." amwater.com. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

City of Richmond and portions of surrounding Richmond metropolitan area; more than 500,000 customers (water, wastewater, stormwater, and natural gas combined)

Municipal utility not regulated by the Virginia SCC

governed by City of Richmond ordinances and Va. Code 15.2-2121.3

All shutoff orders between December 1 and March 31 are suspended, per DPU's own billing page, a broader protection than the statewide temperature thresholds

Municipal disconnection is prohibited until the account is 45 days in arrears (15.2-2121.3, a lower threshold than the 60-day rule for SCC-regulated utilities)

No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or above 92F within 24 hours, or on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday (56-245.1:3 applies broadly)

DPU's own FAQ confirms that after a nonpayment shutoff, service is normally restored the next day after payment posts, or the same day for a $35.00 fee if there is an opening in the schedule

Late fees apply at 30+ days past due

collection activity starts at 90+ days delinquent

Payment plans available via PromisePay (12-month maximum after September 1, 2025)

Reconnection fee:$35.00 for same-day reconnection, if there is an opening in the schedule; otherwise service is restored the next day at no extra charge

Assistance Programs

MetroCare Water Program: up to $500/year per applicant (income-based). MetroCare Assistance Programs: up to $1,500/year maximum. PromisePay Payment Plans: interest-free, up to 12 months; enroll at Richmond.promise-pay.com. LIHWAP: federal water assistance program; DPU participates. Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled program. Contact: (804) 646-4646.

"Frequently Asked Questions - City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities." rva.gov. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Newport News Waterworks

City of Newport News and surrounding Peninsula communities in Hampton Roads region

Municipal utility NOT regulated by Virginia SCC

Governed by City of Newport News ordinances and Va. Code § 15.2-2121.3 (statutory minimum arrearage 45 days for municipal utilities)

Newport News own policy is more protective: cannot disconnect until account is minimum 60 days in arrears (verbatim from delinquency policy — stricter than the 45-day statutory floor)

Notice delivered before disconnection using at least one method (mail, email, text, phone, or door hanger)

No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≥92°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3 applies)

No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday

Reconnection: payments received after 2:00 PM may delay same-day reconnection to next business day if technician required

Payment plans: customers with balance ≥$50 automatically qualify for PromisePay interest-free payment plan

no fees, no late charges, no prepayment penalties

Reconnection fee dollar amount not found in accessible official sources

Assistance Programs

PromisePay Payment Plans: interest-free, no fees; automatic qualification for balances ≥$50; call (757) 703-4005 or visit nnva.promise-pay.com. H2O (Help To Others) via Salvation Army: crisis-based water bill assistance for residents in personal/family financial crisis. LIHWAP: federal water assistance; Newport News DSS office participates; 150% FPL eligibility. Contact Waterworks: (757) 926-1000 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm.

"Delinquency Policy Summary — Newport News Waterworks." nnva.gov. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Medical & Vulnerable Household Exemptions

Medical certificate from a physician or public health official postpones shutoff for 30 to 60 days (varies by utility tariff); renewable. Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power tariffs include specific medical postponement provisions approved by the SCC.

Low-Income Protections

Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power both operate low-income assistance programs. LIHEAP available through Virginia DSS. Virginia has faced legislative debates about expanding winter protection rules.

Your State Regulator

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

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