Online Loans for Utility Bills: Fast Help Before a Shutoff
Behind on your electric, gas, or water bill? Apply online in about five minutes. If you’re approved, you could have the money as soon as today to get your account caught up.
What Are Loans for Utility Bills?
Online loans for utility bills are small personal loans you apply for online and use to pay household bills. You get the money all at once, pay the bill, and then repay the loan over several scheduled payments.
These loans are made for short-term gaps, like a bill that’s due before payday, a heat wave that doubled your electric bill, or a shutoff notice you weren’t expecting. You can use a Wise Loan emergency loan to cover:
- Electricity and natural gas
- Water, sewer, and trash
- Internet and phone service
- Propane or heating oil deliveries
- Reconnection fees and deposits, if your service has already been shut off
How Does it Work?
Apply Online
The application takes about five minutes. You’ll need a checking account that receives your income by direct deposit.
Get a Decision
In most cases, you’ll hear back within minutes.
Get Your Money
With an eligible debit card, you may get your money within 15 minutes. Same-day and next-day deposits are also available.
How Fast Can I Get a Loan to Pay My Electric Bill?
You may receive your money within 15 minutes if all three of these are true:
✓ You’re approved.
✓ You sign your loan documents by 5:30 p.m. CT.
✓ You have a debit card linked to your checking account.
You can read more about how our instant funding loans work.
Once the money arrives:
Pay your utility company right away
Call them to confirm the payment went through and ask them to cancel any scheduled disconnection
Write down the confirmation number and the name of the person you spoke with, in case you need them later.
Can I Get a Utility Bill Loan With Bad Credit?
Yes, you can still apply. Your credit score is one part of our decision, but we also look at your income and your banking history. If your credit has taken a few hits, our page on bad credit loans explains how we review applications.
What Do I Need to Apply?
You must be 21 or older
A traditional checking account (prepaid cards and savings accounts aren’t accepted)
A physical home address (P.O. boxes are accepted only as a mailing address)
A Social Security number
Income that’s deposited directly into that checking account
At least $1,500 in monthly income ($3,000 for South Carolina residents and self-employed applicants)
It also helps to have your utility bill in front of you, so you know exactly how much you need.
How Much Should I Borrow?
Borrow enough to solve the problem and nothing more. Add up:
✓ Your past-due balance
✓ Your current bill, if it’s due soon
✓ Any late fees
✓ A reconnection fee and deposit, if your service is already off
Borrowing only what you need keeps the total cost of your loan lower.
Example
- You owe from last month
- $280
- A new bill is due next week
- $190
- You've been charged a late fee
- $25
- That comes to about
- $495
What Happens If You Don't Pay Your Utility Bill?
Know the risks.
- Late fee
- Past-due notice
- Disconnection notice
- Shutoff
It usually starts with a late fee. If the bill stays unpaid, the utility sends a past-due notice, then a disconnection notice, and eventually shuts off service.
If you’re in this spot, you’re not alone. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, one in six U.S. households is behind on its utility bills, and utilities disconnected electric service about 13.5 million times in 2024.
Many states limit shutoffs during extreme heat or cold. Those rules only pause a disconnection, though. They don’t erase what you owe, and once the protection period ends, the full balance is still due. Getting service turned back on also tends to cost more than keeping it on, because utilities often charge a reconnection fee and may ask for a deposit.
Should You Take Out a Loan to Pay Utility Bills?
A utility bill loan can make sense when
- You have steady income.
- The shortfall is temporary.
- A shutoff would end up costing you more than the loan.
It's probably not the right choice if
- Your bills are higher than you can afford every month.
- Free help can reach you before your shutoff date.
These loans are an expensive way to borrow, so check the cheaper options below first. You can learn more about our approach to responsible lending.
What Are the Alternatives to a Loan?
Call your utility company
Apply for LIHEAP
Dial 211
If none of these come through in time, a loan can help cover the gap.
Why Borrowers Choose Wise Loan
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We're a direct lender in every state we serve. You work with us from your application to your final payment.
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You repay in installments. A typical payday loan is due all at once. Our loans spread repayment over scheduled payments.
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Real people answer the phone seven days a week at 800-516-7840.
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Returning customers may qualify for higher loan amounts.
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We're a member of the Online Lenders Alliance and are listed with the Better Business Bureau.
Where Are Wise Loan Utility Loans Available?
We currently lend in Delaware, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. In Mississippi, loans are available to returning customers only. Rates and terms vary by state, so check the rates and terms for your state before you apply.
Live Outside of These States?
We’ll match you with an approved out-of-state lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a personal loan to pay utility bills?
Yes. Once you’re approved, you can use the funds for electric, gas, water, internet, and other household bills. Most people pay their utility company directly as soon as the money arrives.
Can I apply on the weekend?
Yes, you can apply any day of the week. When the money arrives depends on the time you sign your loan agreement, the funding option you choose, and when your bank posts the deposit.
Can a loan stop a disconnection that's already scheduled?
Often it can, if you pay before the disconnection date. After you pay, call your utility company to confirm the payment posted and ask them to cancel the shutoff order.
What if I'm also behind on rent?
Housing costs and utilities often fall behind together. Our page on loans for rent explains how we can help with that too.
What happens if I miss a loan payment?
Contact us as soon as you know a payment will be a problem. Interest continues to add up on a missed payment, but our team can walk you through your options before things get harder.
Get Your Utilities Back on Track
If a shutoff notice is sitting on your counter, you don’t have to wait until payday to take care of it. Apply online in minutes and find out where you stand.