If you miss a payment on your electricity or gas bill, you might worry about how long you have before your supply is cut off. The rules are set by the energy regulator Ofgem, and they give you a clear minimum period of protection.
You have at least 28 days from your bill due date before a UK supplier can disconnect your power, but most take 45–60 days. Ofgem sets these minimum protections, and suppliers must send two notices before cutting off your supply.
- Ofgem sets a minimum 28-day grace period before disconnection.
- Suppliers must send a reminder notice with 7 days to pay.
- A final notice gives another 7 days before disconnection.
- Actual disconnection typically happens 45–60 days after due date.
- Suppliers must contact you at least three times before cutting off.
- Most suppliers give you at least 28 days before they can disconnect your power
- The 28-day rule is a minimum, your actual grace period may be longer
- Quick numbers, typical timeline from overdue bill to disconnection
- Your supplier must contact you three times before disconnecting
- The direct answer, you have at least 28 days, but most people have 45–60 days
- How to verify your supplier's specific late-payment policy
- Eligibility for extra protection, who cannot be disconnected in winter
You have at least 28 days from your bill due date before your supplier can disconnect your power, but most suppliers take 45–60 days before actually disconnecting. This applies to both electricity and gas suppliers in the UK.
Most suppliers give you at least 28 days before they can disconnect your power
The standard industry rule is that a supplier cannot disconnect your electricity or gas until the bill is at least 28 days overdue. This 28-day period is a minimum; some suppliers may allow longer before taking action. The rules are set by Ofgem, the energy regulator, under its licence conditions for suppliers (Ofgem, 2026).
The 28-day rule is a minimum, your actual grace period may be longer
After a missed payment, the supplier must send a reminder notice giving you at least 7 days to pay. If you still do not pay, they must send a final notice giving at least 7 more days before they can disconnect. In practice, the total time from the bill due date to disconnection is rarely less than 28 days, and often 40–50 days (Ofgem, 2026).
Quick numbers, typical timeline from overdue bill to disconnection
| Stage | Typical time from bill due date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bill due date | Day 0 | Payment expected |
| Reminder notice sent | Day 7–14 | Supplier must give at least 7 days to pay |
| Final notice sent | Day 21–28 | Supplier must give at least 7 more days |
| Disconnection possible | Day 28–35 | Earliest date supplier can act |
| Average actual disconnection | Day 45–60 | Most suppliers delay further |
These are typical figures, not guarantees. Exact timelines vary by supplier (Ofgem, 2026; Citizens Advice, 2026). how to challenge a supplier disconnection notice.
Your supplier must contact you three times before disconnecting
The supplier must first send a reminder notice, then a final notice, and then a disconnection notice. Each notice must be in writing (paper or email) and must clearly state the amount due and the deadline. The supplier cannot disconnect if you have a payment plan in place or a pending complaint (Ofgem, 2026).
You have at least 28 days, but most people have 45–60 days
You have at least 28 days from your bill due date before your supplier can disconnect your power, but most suppliers take 45–60 days before actually disconnecting. This is the plain-English answer to “how long can power bill be late”, the legal minimum is 28 days, the practical reality is longer. The 28-day rule applies to both electricity and gas suppliers in the UK.
How to verify your supplier’s specific late-payment policy
Check your supplier’s “Terms and Conditions” or “Code of Practice” for their exact disconnection timeline. Most suppliers publish a “Payment difficulties” or “Help with bills” page on their website. You can also call your supplier’s customer service line and ask for their disconnection policy in writing (Ofgem, 2026; Citizens Advice, 2026). how to negotiate a repayment plan with your energy supplier.
Eligibility for extra protection, who cannot be disconnected in winter
Ofgem’s “Winter moratorium” means suppliers cannot disconnect a household with a pre-payment meter between 1 October and 31 March if the customer is in a vulnerable situation. “Vulnerable” includes households with someone over 60, under 5, or with a chronic health condition. This protection applies only to pre-payment meter customers, not to credit customers (Ofgem, 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
At least 28 days under Ofgem rules, but most suppliers take 45–60 days. The supplier must send a reminder and a final notice before disconnecting, as set by Ofgem (2026).
Your supplier will send a reminder notice after 7–14 days, then a final notice after 21–28 days. You have at least 28 days total before disconnection is possible, per Ofgem rules (2026).
No. Suppliers must send at least two notices: a reminder with 7 days to pay, then a final notice with another 7 days. This process is required by Ofgem licence conditions (2026).
Typically 45–60 days from the due date. The earliest possible disconnection is 28 days, but most suppliers delay further, according to Citizens Advice and Ofgem data (2026).
Ofgem rules require suppliers to give at least 28 days from the bill due date before disconnecting. This includes a 7-day reminder and a 7-day final notice period, as per Ofgem licence conditions (2026).
