Helping a parent with power and gas bills, and what to do after a death

The account holder can call the retailer to add a trusted person. The Government of Alberta says an enduring power of attorney covers finances. After a death, call to transfer or close the account. The estate pays the final bill if funds allow. Keep heat on in an empty home in winter.

How do I add a family member to a parent's energy account?

To add a family member to a parent's energy account, ask the parent to call their retailer. ATCO Energy lets an account holder add a person who can make decisions. Ask what powers the person will have. Make sure your parent knows they can be bound by that person's choices.

Can I use a power of attorney for my parent's utility bills?

An enduring power of attorney can cover your parent's utility bills as part of their finances. The Government of Alberta says the document sets when the power starts. Ask each retailer what it needs to check your authority. ENMAX's privacy page gives power of attorney as an example of third party access.

The power ends when the person who made it dies. It can also end for other reasons. Read the Government of Alberta guidance and the document itself.

If your parent is vulnerable and has no attorney, contact the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee. It offers tools and support for personal and financial matters. If your parent cannot manage their finances, a family member may otherwise have to go to court to become a trustee.

This is general information, not legal advice.

How do I keep a parent safe from energy scams?

Help keep a parent safe from energy scams by taking time to check a call or message. The Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) says retailers never ask for payment at once. Hang up and call the number on the bill. The Government of Alberta bans uninvited door sales of power and gas contracts.

1. Pause if someone presses for payment now.
2. Use the number on the bill to check. Do not trust the number a caller gives you.
3. Do not sign an energy contract with an uninvited door seller. The UCA notes that the door sales rule does not cover solar companies.

Read our utility scam guide for warning signs and where to report them.

Can bills still come on paper?

Bills can still come on paper from Direct Energy and EPCOR. Direct Energy says it sends bills by mail or email based on your choice. EPCOR says you can switch back from online bills at any time. Call your parent's retailer to ask for the format they find easy to use.

Check the mailing address with the retailer. Read Direct Energy's billing FAQ or EPCOR's online billing page.

What happens to power and gas bills when someone dies?

When someone dies, ask the retailer to transfer power and gas bills to a spouse or close the account. The Government of Alberta says the estate pays debts if it has funds. Take this one step at a time. Keep heat on if the home is empty in winter.

Tell the retailer who is handling the estate. Ask what documents it needs and when the final bill will arrive. The Government of Alberta explains the executor's role. An attorney's power ends at death.

Direct Energy's terms say a residential contract may end on death. Ask the retailer to explain any charges before agreeing to close or transfer an account.

If a spouse is taking over the account, read our guide to deposits and credit checks. If you dispute a fee or final bill, follow our steps for an energy complaint.

If a transfer fee seems unfair, contact the UCA. In an older case it helped a widow after the company refused her request: In an older case, a widow was charged $200 to transfer the account to her name. The company refused her request to waive it. After UCA mediation, the fee was waived. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

The UCA says an empty home can still have monthly costs even with no energy use. Keep the heat on through winter. Read about empty and seasonal homes before changing services.

Where can older Albertans get help paying?

Older Albertans can check provincial programs for help paying household costs. The Government of Alberta offers support for seniors who qualify. Our help paying utility bills guide explains those programs and where to ask for help. Start there with your parent, and check the rules before you apply.

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