Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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Montana program

A doctor’s note that holds off a utility shutoff

A clinician’s certificate can postpone a utility shutoff when losing service would endanger someone at home.

What it is

A clinician’s certificate can postpone a utility shutoff when losing service would endanger someone at home.

Electricity or gas can be essential for care at home. A certificate may delay disconnection. Your utility and account type decide which rules apply.

Eligibility rules
  • A clinician must certify that losing service endangers someone at home.
  • With NorthWestern Energy, a clinician's certificate holds an electric shutoff for up to 180 days and can be renewed, but holds a gas shutoff for only 30 days at a time. From November to April there are extra winter limits. The bill still needs a payment plan. A co-op or city utility has its own rule; ask for it in writing.
What you get
  • A temporary hold on an eligible utility disconnection.
What it covers
  • A payment arrangement or energy-assistance application is separate from the hold.
If you decide to apply
  1. Ask the utility for its certificate form and account rules.
  2. Bring the account number and shutoff notice to a clinician who can explain the health risk.

The utility · Official page ↗

After you ask
  • The utility can confirm the hold and expiry date in writing.
Good to know

A certificate does not erase debt. Its expiry and renewal rules matter.

Other details
  • Current rules decide which clinician may sign and when renewal is needed.
Official sources
Ask your social worker

“Would a certificate protect service our child needs? How long would it last and what would we owe, and could you help arrange it if needed?”

Why I’m asking: I want to understand how we could keep essential utilities on.

More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules

Who does what

The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.

You

Call before the due date and get the form signed.

Your social worker

A clinician signs the certificate.

The care team

Signs the note saying why losing service would endanger the child.

Who decides
The utility, under its tariff.
Ask the agency
“My child is having cancer treatment at home with refrigerated medicine. Can you send the medical certificate form, and how long does it last on this account?”

How to apply

First step: Call the utility before the bill’s due date and ask for the medical certificate form.

  1. Call the utility before the bill’s due date and ask for the medical certificate form.
  2. Ask how long the certificate lasts on your account and when it has to be renewed.

Official application / program page ↗

Where it starts: Call the utility before the due date and ask for its medical certificate form.

What to gather

  • The account number
  • The shutoff notice
  • A clinician willing to sign

How long: Ask your utility: the two Montana tariffs on file say 30 days and 180 days.

What a yes looks like

A hold on the disconnection and a renewal date.

What a no looks like, and the next move

The utility says the rule does not apply to your account type. Ask about energy assistance and a payment plan instead.

Watch out

  • The gas and electric rules on file disagree on how long a certificate lasts; ask your utility.
  • It postpones the shutoff and does not cancel the bill.
  • Call before the due date rather than after the notice.

The numbers and the rules

The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.

What it is worth

A clinician’s certificate postpones a shutoff; in winter a disconnection ordinarily needs the state commission’s prior approval.

Legal protection: A medical certificate postpones a disconnection; its length differs between the gas and electric tariffs on file · Between November 1 and April 1 a termination ordinarily needs specific prior approval from the state commission, with exceptions for dangerous conditions

What it costs the family: None. The bill still has to be paid eventually.

The eligibility facts, as published

Utility
the rules on file are NorthWestern Energy tariffs; whether a municipal or co-operative utility follows them was NOT FOUND
Certifier
the electric sheet lists a physician, certified physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse; the older gas sheet names a physician or the local board of health

The trap: Do not wait for the shutoff. The utility asks people to get in touch before the bill’s due date, and the certificate is easier to arrange before service is cut.

Where I read this

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