As many Americans struggle to keep their electricity, water, and gas on during the pandemic, utility shut-offs and ballooning balances appear on the rise, according to one study in Illinois.

Disconnections in the state doubled their historical average in October and deferred payment plans tripled their average, according to a new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research. One in 5 accounts were also charged late fees, the study found.

While the data covers about 5 million residents in Illinois specifically, Steve Cicala, a researcher on the study, said the findings can help inform what is happening across the country.

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“Illinois has a diverse economy, where the Chicago area has more service-oriented urban workers and then you have the downstate where there is rural agriculture,” Cicala said. “There’s enough of a range that you can learn how this impacts different parts of the American economy.”

The increase in disconnections and deferred payments occurred even though there was a nine-fold expansion in low-income assistance to pay utility bills, the study found. What’s more concerning is what could happen after winter utility protections expire.

“I think the forecast for spring is pretty worrisome as the winter disconnection moratorium in Illinois will expire soon,” Cicala said. “The average household already had $300 past due this October, which was a lot of money to keep their power connected.”

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Having lights and heating turned off are not just inconveniences. Access to heating and cooling are key predictors of mortality, especially during the pandemic when staying home is a crucial way to avoid exposure to COVID-19, the study pointed out. The lack of electricity also hurts those relying on internet access for remote schooling and work.

“Housing in the United States means more than four walls and a roof,” said Eric Dunn, director of Litigation at the National Housing Law Project, a legal advocacy nonprofit group. “It means having heat in the middle of the winter.”

Around 20% to 25% of residential customers are at least 60 days behind on their electric and natural gas bills, according to estimates provided by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association in a letter last week to Congressional leaders.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides utility assistance, only has enough funding to help “only about one out of six eligible households and cannot be stretched to help the newly unemployed with their growing bills, without additional funding,” the letter said.