The federal government shutdown means heating aid will not be released Nov. 1, leading to stark worries from those who manage the program.

Cold weather payments could be sent directly to customers with smart meters. (Shutterstock) In colder weather, more people use emergency credit and disconnect from power more often. Emergency credit is provided by the utility as a short-term loan. Self-disconnections occur when the household has no credit left and they have no energy supply. The government’s