Just as a bitter cold snap hits Long Island, LIPA is making ratepayers aware there?s help out there if they can?t afford their mounting bills.

LIPA and National Grid are advising financially strapped customers to call one of their customer service representatives for help.

"Our goal is to work with customers to keep lights on and to get an agreement that benefits both of us," LIPA Customer Service Representative Steve McCabe says.

LIPA says it will attempt to contact customers who heat their homes with electric heat before shutting the power off this winter. Regardless of the customer?s payment history, service won't be interrupted if they can prove a medical hardship, have life-support equipment or if they or a member of their immediate family are hospitalized.

As long as ratepayers contact LIPA, the company will not shut off service while they work to develop a payment agreement or help the customer obtain financial assistance. Utility rights are protected under state law.