‘I have never felt so hopeless’: millions in US fear utility shutoffs as debts rise

Millions have fallen behind on utility bills since the pandemic started while utility debt is an estimated $32bn

The gas in Diana Morgan Magda's house was shut off in May. Now when she wants to take a bath she uses an electric kettle to heat the water. It takes an hour.

Magda, who lives in Girard, Ohio, relies on social security disability benefits for her sole income. Like many Americans, she can't pay all her bills, living expenses and medication with the benefits she receives, and through the pandemic she fell behind on utility bills.