Behind on your hydro or gas bill?

A disconnection notice is stressful. Before you borrow to pay a utility bill, call the utility: there are often cheaper ways to catch up.

What to do first

1. Call the utility before the disconnection date

   Use the number on your bill and ask for a payment arrangement: paying the overdue amount in smaller parts alongside your regular bills. Do it before the date on the notice. Once service is cut, you may have to pay more to get it back.

2. Ask about assistance programs

   Many utilities and provinces have programs for customers who are behind, such as one-time grants toward an overdue balance or monthly credits for lower-income households. Ask the utility which ones you can apply for.

3. Check the rules where you live

   Some provinces limit disconnections in winter, and some utilities pause a disconnection while you apply for help. The examples below cover three provinces.

4. Look for local help

   211.ca refers you to community and government services near you, which in some provinces include utility assistance programs.

Rules and programs in three provinces

Ontario

Each year from November 15 to April 30, electricity and natural gas utilities can't disconnect a home for non-payment, according to the Ontario Energy Board. Late payment fees can still be charged during that time, and the ban doesn't cover unit sub-meter providers. If you're behind, the OEB's bill assistance programs include a one-time emergency grant toward an overdue electricity or natural gas bill, and a monthly credit for lower-income households.

British Columbia

BC Hydro's Customer Crisis Fund can apply a grant to an overdue balance for customers facing disconnection at their main home. BC Hydro says service isn't disconnected while it reviews an application.

Quebec

Hydro-Québec offers payment arrangements for residential customers who are having trouble paying. Contact it before service is interrupted.

Programs, amounts and conditions change. Check with your utility or the program before you rely on them.

When a loan makes sense

If a payment arrangement or grant doesn't cover it, or the bill is for something those programs don't help with, an installment loan can spread the cost over a few months. It makes sense when the amount is between $300 and $3,000 and the payments fit your budget alongside your regular bills.

With Urgent Loans, one application goes to the lenders in our network:

• Loans of $300 to $3,000, repaid over 90 to 120 days
• The lenders in our network don't run credit checks. A lender may ask for more documents, such as ID, proof of income or a recent bank statement, and may verify your bank account online.
• Funds often the same day you sign
• Applying is free, and nothing is final until you sign a lender's contract

For example, a $300 loan at 32% APR over 98 days is repaid in 7 bi-weekly payments of about $44.99, for a total of $314.93. This example is for illustration only. See what an installment loan costs for how to compare offers.

When it doesn't

If your utility bills are behind every month, a loan only moves the problem to next month. A non-profit credit counsellor can help you look at your whole budget for free. Having several loans at once can hurt your finances.

More options when money is short are on our emergency loans page.

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Urgent Loans is not a lender. Each lender in our network sets its own terms and makes its own decision. See how it works.