Houston Winter Shutoff Rules 2026–27: When Your Power Can't Be Cut Off, and Who Can Help Pay the Bill
A Houston freeze can do two kinds of damage. There are burst pipes, and then there's the electric bill that shows up a month later. If you're behind on electricity or gas this winter, Texas rules give you more protection than most people realize, and Houston has utility-funded hardship programs that don't go through the usual government lines.
This guide covers when your retail electric provider (Reliant, TXU or any other) cannot disconnect you, what to do once a disconnection notice arrives, and the Houston agencies that hand out utility-funded bill help.
How Electricity Works in Houston (and Why It Matters)
Most Houston homes are in Texas's competitive electricity market:
Your retail electric provider (REP) sends the bill and decides whether to request a disconnection. Reliant, TXU and dozens of other companies are REPs.
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric owns the poles and wires and physically turns the power off or on.
CenterPoint Energy also delivers natural gas in Houston and bills you for it directly.
This means your payment plan, hardship request and disconnection dispute all go to the company on your electric bill, not CenterPoint. Gas problems go to CenterPoint.
When Your Electricity Cannot Be Disconnected
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) customer protection rule, 16 TAC §25.483, blocks disconnection for nonpayment in several situations.
Extreme weather emergencies
Your REP cannot authorize a disconnection for nonpayment in a county during an "extreme weather emergency." For winter, that means:
the previous day's high did not go above 32°F, and
the temperature is predicted to stay at or below freezing for the next 24 hours anywhere in the county, based on the nearest National Weather Service report.
The same protection applies in summer when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory for the county, or did so on either of the previous two days.
Bills don't vanish during a freeze. The rule requires your REP to offer a deferred payment plan if you ask for bills that come due during the emergency. Ask.
Weekends and holidays
A REP can't request a nonpayment disconnection on a weekend or holiday, or the day before one, unless its staff are available those days to take payments and arrange reconnection. The disconnection date on your notice also can't fall on a weekend or holiday. This matters around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
At least 10 days' notice
A disconnection notice can't be issued until the day after the bill is due. It must be a separate mailing, hand delivery or email clearly labeled as a disconnection notice. The disconnection date must be at least 10 days after the notice is issued.
When an agency has pledged to pay
If an energy assistance agency sends your REP a pledge or letter saying it's paying enough to keep service on, the REP can't disconnect you for that billing period. It must give the agency at least 45 days to pay before sending a disconnection request. That's why getting an agency appointment fast matters even if the money takes weeks.
Serious medical conditions
Critical Care Residential Customers: If losing power would make someone in the home seriously ill or more seriously ill, a doctor or other medical professional can confirm it to your REP by phone and in writing. You must also agree to a deferred payment plan. This blocks disconnection for up to 63 days from when the bill was issued.
Chronic Condition Residential Customers: If you're designated as chronic condition, your REP must send you and your emergency contact a separate disconnection notice at least 21 days before the disconnection date.
Ask your REP for the commission-approved Critical Care and Chronic Condition application form. Your doctor fills out the medical part.
Natural Gas: The Same Freeze Protection
CenterPoint gas customers have a parallel protection under Texas Railroad Commission rule 16 TAC §7.460. A gas utility cannot disconnect a delinquent residential customer on a day when the previous day's high didn't exceed 32°F and freezing temperatures are forecast for the next 24 hours. Gas utilities must also defer full payment of bills that come due during the emergency and set up a payment schedule. A written pledge from an energy assistance agency protects you for that billing period, and weekend disconnections are banned unless the utility can take payments and reconnect.
For a CenterPoint gas payment arrangement, call 713-659-2111 or 800-752-8036.
Utility-Funded Hardship Help in Houston
Reliant CARE
Reliant's Customer Assistance and Relief for Energy bills (CARE) program is funded by Reliant and customer donations. Reliant says more than $18 million has gone out statewide since 2002. CARE is handed out through local agencies, and it can help people who earn too much for government programs. Houston-area CARE partners Reliant lists include:
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston: (713) 526-4611
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM): (713) 468-4516
Northwest Assistance Ministries: (281) 885-4519
West Houston Assistance Ministries: (713) 568-6322
Wesley Community Center: (713) 236-9008
Cypress Assistance Ministries: (281) 955-7684
Humble Area Assistance Ministries: (281) 446-3663
Katy Christian Ministries: (281) 391-5261
Restoring Hope (Spring): (281) 376-5773
BakerRipley: (713) 667-9400
Call the agency that serves your area and say you're a Reliant customer asking about CARE. Mention any disconnection notice so they can try to speed things up. Reliant warns that help can take up to 8 weeks and may not cover the whole bill. For a payment extension while you wait, call Reliant at 1-866-222-7100.
TXU Energy Aid
If TXU is your provider, TXU Energy Aid uses donations from customers, employees and other Texans to help about 20,000 families a year. To apply, call 2-1-1, visit 211texas.org or email energyaid@txu.com. TXU also has a program for combat-injured veterans who can't regulate their body temperature (800-242-9113).
Other providers
Many smaller REPs have no hardship fund. Call 2-1-1, say who your provider is, and ask which agencies have bill-payment money for that company.
The Big Government Program: Book Early
BakerRipley runs the state-funded Utility Assistance Program (CEAP) for Harris, Brazoria and Galveston counties. It covers electricity, gas or propane, but not water. As of early October 2026:
The online portal filled its 4,000 slots after opening September 14 and is closed.
BakerRipley expects to reopen online applications Monday, November 9.
In-person appointments for November open Monday, October 27.
Income limits (effective January 26, 2026) are $23,940 for one person, $32,460 for two, $40,980 for three and $49,500 for four.
You need 30 days of income proof for every adult, ID and Social Security cards for all household members, citizenship or legal residency documents, and a current utility bill. With no SSN or ITIN, call the hotline at 713-590-2327 for an in-person appointment. Have everything scanned before November 9. The portal fills fast.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and agency funding change, so confirm details with your provider or agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Reliant or TXU shut off my power during a freeze?
Not for nonpayment. That applies on any day the previous day's high was 32°F or lower and freezing weather is forecast for the next 24 hours in your county. You still owe the bill, but you can ask for a deferred payment plan.
Who do I call to stop a disconnection, my provider or CenterPoint?
For electricity, call the company on your bill (your REP). CenterPoint only does the physical disconnection. For gas, call CenterPoint.
I got a pledge from an agency. Can they still cut me off?
Not for that billing period. Your provider must give the agency at least 45 days to pay before requesting disconnection. You may still owe any amount the pledge doesn't cover.
How fast is power restored after I pay?
If you pay before noon on a business day, your REP must send the reconnection request to CenterPoint by 2 p.m. that day. Later payments have later deadlines. In all cases the request must go out within 48 hours.
Related Guides
Need help asking your landlord or utility for more time? Our $9 Behind on Rent Action Kit has fill-in letters and checklists. Free help is always available at 211.
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