How to Pay Your National Grid Gas Bill in Massachusetts

It is important to pay your gas bill on time and in full to avoid late fees and being cut off from service. National Grid gives people in Massachusetts a number of easy ways to pay their gas bills. I will talk about the different ways to pay your bills, how to read your bill, programs for people who are having trouble paying, and more.

Ways to Pay Your National Grid Gas Bill

National Grid offers several ways to pay gas bills in Massachusetts

• Online – The fastest and most convenient way is paying online through National Grid’s website You can pay by e-check from a bank account or by debit/credit card.

• By Phone – Call National Grid’s automated pay-by-phone system anytime to make a payment from your bank account or credit card.

• By Mail – Detach the payment stub from your paper bill and mail it with a check or money order. Allow 5-7 days for mail delivery.

• In Person – Bring your bill to an authorized Western Union or CheckFreePay location to pay in cash or pin-based debit. Fees may apply.

• AutoPay – Enroll in AutoPay to have payments automatically deducted from your bank account each month. This ensures you never miss a payment.

• Budget Billing – With Budget Billing your gas bill is evened out over 12 months to avoid seasonal spikes. Your account is reviewed every 6 months and adjusted if needed.

I recommend setting up AutoPay if possible to make sure your gas bill is paid on time every month. Online payments are fastest if you need to pay quickly before a due date.

Understanding Your National Grid Gas Bill

When you receive your National Grid gas bill, take a moment to review it. Your bill has two main sections – the account summary and the charges details.

The account summary shows:

• Your account information
• Previous and current meter readings
• Total days in the billing cycle
• Total therms used
• Amount due and due date

The charges details break down your total bill by:

• Gas delivery charges – For maintaining gas pipelines and infrastructure
• Gas supply charges – The cost of the natural gas itself
• Taxes – State and local taxes
• Other charges like meter fees or late fees if applicable

If you notice your usage or bill amount is higher than normal, check the meter read dates and total days – a longer billing cycle means more usage. Rate increases also affect your supply charges.

Getting Help Paying Your Gas Bill

If you are struggling financially and need help paying your National Grid gas bill on time, there are resources available:

• Payment plans: If you can’t pay the full amount due, National Grid may be able to set up a monthly payment plan for you to pay off your debt over time. Call them to discuss options.

• LIHEAP – This federally funded program provides heating bill assistance. Households must meet income limits. Apply through your state LIHEAP agency.

• Budget billing: Spreads payments out over a year to avoid big jumps during certain times of the year. Your account is reviewed twice yearly.

• Energy efficiency programs – Install a high-efficiency heating system or complete insulation upgrades to reduce usage and save money. Rebates may be available.

• Property tax exemptions: Seniors, veterans, and low-income households in Massachusetts can get property tax exemptions that can lower their taxes.

If your situation is temporary, a payment plan can help get you through. For ongoing hardship, LIHEAP, Budget Billing, and efficiency improvements provide more permanent bill management.

Avoiding Gas Shut-offs

National Grid does not want to disconnect your gas service for non-payment. Here are ways to avoid potential shut-offs:

• Contact National Grid before your due date if you know you cannot pay on time. Explain your situation and ask about payment plans, extensions, or other options.

• If you receive a shut-off notice, pay as much as you can of the past due amount right away. Even a partial payment shows you are acting in good faith.

• On the day of shut-off, someone must be home who is 18+ and can make a payment to delay disconnection. The technician cannot shut off service if no adult is present.

• Know your rights. There are restrictions around winter gas shut-offs and if you have medical needs.

The most important takeaway is to not ignore communications from National Grid. Call them as soon as you anticipate difficulty paying to establish a plan. Shut-offs really are a last resort measure.

Key Takeaways for Paying Your National Grid Gas Bill

• Use AutoPay or online payments for easy, on-time bill payment
• Review your bill monthly and watch for usage spikes
• Contact National Grid immediately if you will have trouble paying to discuss options
• Payment plans, Budget Billing, and efficiency upgrades help lower/manage bills
• Avoid shut-offs by communicating with National Grid before your due date

Paying your National Grid gas bill does not need to be difficult, as long as you know your options. Reach out for assistance if you cannot pay on time. Consistent good faith efforts to pay will help avoid shut-offs. Managing gas bills may take some work, but maintaining your service is well worth it.