Boston, October 22, 2025
News Summary
With the federal government shutdown entering its 21st day, National Grid is implementing temporary account relief measures for federal employees, government contractors, and military personnel. This includes allowing payment holds and providing a self-attestation form for impacted customers. Service disconnection risks are also mitigated as customers on hold will not face interruptions in service. Local leaders, including U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, are urging for a moratorium on service shutoffs and greater support for these affected workers.
Boston — National Grid is offering temporary account relief to federal employees, government contractors, and military members affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 21st day, by allowing payment holds and other measures to prevent immediate service interruptions.
What National Grid is doing now
National Grid has made a “self-attestation form” available online for eligible customers to request temporary account relief. A “self-attestation form” is available on National Grid’s website for federal employees, government contractors, and active military members facing financial challenges. Customers impacted by the shutdown are eligible for payment holds on their accounts, and service will not be disconnected for those with accounts on hold. National Grid indicates it is monitoring the situation and prepared to help with energy bills and cost control measures for customers reporting hardship.
Protection from immediate disconnection
Customers will not face risk of shutoff until they are 60 days past due on payments, and the shutdown is currently not at that duration. For accounts placed on hold through the company’s program, service will not be disconnected while the hold is in place.
Local and legislative response
U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley has asked utility providers, including National Grid and Eversource, to impose a moratorium on service shutoffs for affected federal workers. Approximately 45,000 federal workers in Massachusetts are affected by the shutdown, many residing in Pressley’s district. Pressley also requested a payment deferral program that would not require a down payment or incur fees for impacted employees. These letters and requests align with broader legislative efforts to reduce financial strain on furloughed federal workers.
Other utilities and state action
Eversource has confirmed it is committed to aiding customers experiencing financial difficulties and urges customers to contact the company for assistance. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has directed utility regulators to review gas and electric bills to eliminate unjustified charges as winter approaches.
Context and wider impacts
The shutdown entered its 21st day on Tuesday, resulting in many federal employees being furloughed and creating cash-flow problems for affected households. President Donald Trump is moving to lay off thousands of workers, a plan that has prompted legal challenges. Political leaders from both parties have exchanged blame for the inability to reach a funding agreement, and several proposals are being considered to soften the economic effects on federal workers.
Among proposed measures are legislative efforts to suspend rent, student loan, and mortgage payments for workers directly impacted by the shutdown, with the goal of protecting them from eviction and foreclosure. These measures remain under discussion and would require separate action to take effect.
How customers can access help
- Eligible federal employees, government contractors, and active military members should use the National Grid “self-attestation form” on the company website to request account holds.
- Customers who are already on hold will not face disconnection while the hold remains in effect.
- Those with bills approaching 60 days past due should contact their utility provider to inquire about available assistance before the 60-day cutoff is reached.
Bottom line
National Grid is offering temporary account relief options to customers affected by the federal government shutdown, including a self-attestation process and payment holds that prevent immediate service disconnection. State officials and lawmakers are pressing utilities and regulators for additional protections, and parallel efforts by other utilities and proposed legislation aim to reduce financial harm to furloughed federal workers.
FAQ
Who can use the online form to request aid from National Grid?
A “self-attestation form” is available on National Grid’s website for federal employees, government contractors, and active military members facing financial challenges.
Will service be disconnected for customers who request help?
Customers impacted by the shutdown are eligible for payment holds on their accounts, and service will not be disconnected for those with accounts on hold.
How many federal workers in Massachusetts are affected?
Approximately 45,000 federal workers in Massachusetts are affected by the shutdown, many residing in Pressley’s district.
Is there a risk of shutoff right now?
Customers will not face risk of shutoff until they are 60 days past due on payments, and the shutdown is currently not at that duration.
What does National Grid say about helping customers?
National Grid emphasizes their dedication to providing assistance to customers facing financial hardship due to the shutdown.
Quick reference table
Item | What it means | Where it applies |
---|---|---|
“self-attestation form” | Online form to request temporary account relief from National Grid. | Available to federal employees, government contractors, and active military members (as described by National Grid). |
Payment holds | Accounts placed on hold will not be disconnected while the hold is active. | Customers impacted by the shutdown who meet eligibility criteria. |
Risk of shutoff | Customers are not at risk of shutoff until 60 days past due. | Applies to customer accounts generally under current company policy; the shutdown is currently not at that duration. |
State impact | Large number of federal workers in Massachusetts affected by the shutdown. | Approximately 45,000 federal workers in Massachusetts are affected by the shutdown, many residing in Pressley’s district. |
Additional actions | Requests and directives ask utilities and regulators to avoid shutoffs and review bills for unjustified charges. | Requests from Representative Pressley and an order from Governor Maura Healey apply in Massachusetts. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Governor Healey Orders Review of Gas and Electric Billing
Massachusetts Gas Bills Set to Increase This Winter
Massachusetts Faces Record-Breaking Power Outages Amid Heat Wave
National Grid Faces $15 Million Fine Over Billing Errors
Massachusetts Residents to Receive $50 Electricity Bill Discounts
Massachusetts Utility Companies Reduce Rates Amid Energy Debate
Massachusetts Gas Bills Set for Significant Reduction
Massachusetts Gas Providers Propose Rate Decrease
Gas Prices in Massachusetts Steady at $2.99
Gas Bill Relief Coming for Massachusetts Residents
Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Finger Lakes 1
- MassLive
- QuiverQuant
- Politico
- Wikipedia: Federal Government Shutdown
- Google Search: Utility Companies Shutdown Assistance
- Google Scholar: Government Shutdown Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Government Shutdown
- Google News: Shutdown Assistance Utility Companies

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