SAINT
PAUL — As temperatures drop and heating bills rise, the Minnesota Department of
Commerce and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission want Minnesotans to know
about help that is available from the state’s Cold Weather Rule and Energy
Assistance Program.
The
Cold Weather Rule protects residential utility customers from having their heat
shut off during the winter months. The Energy Assistance Program helps
eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters pay for home heating costs.
“The
Cold Weather Rule and our Energy Assistance Program are here to help Minnesota
families who struggle with home heating costs to get through our cold winters,”
said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, whose agency includes the
state energy office. “We want to make sure Minnesotans are safe and warm in
their homes this winter.”
“The
Cold Weather Rule is a safeguard for the most vulnerable Minnesotans during our
challenging winters,” said Public Utilities Commission Chair Nancy Lange. “It
ensures that households in need are safe, warm and healthy. By working out a
payment plan with their utility, Minnesota families with financial challenges
can still keep their heat on.”
Cold Weather Rule
The
Cold Weather Rule takes effect on October 15 and continues through April 15. To
prevent heating disconnection under the rule, customers must first contact their
utility to establish and maintain a monthly payment plan. All electric and
natural gas companies are required to offer this protection.
Under
the rule, utility customers who have a combined household income at or below 50
percent of the state median income ($48,077 for a family of four) are not
required to pay more than 10 percent of their household income toward current
and past heating bills. Others are also eligible to arrange a Cold Weather Rule
payment plan.
Minnesotans
who need to re-connect their service for the winter should contact their
utility now to take advantage of the payment options.
The
Cold Weather Rule does not apply to delivered fuels such as fuel oil, propane
or wood. But Minnesotans who use these fuels are encouraged to contact the
companies serving them to discuss payment options if they are concerned about
their ability to pay this winter. For example, a state law requires that
propane distributors offer all customers a budget plan.
The
Cold Weather Rule is administered by the Public Utilities Commission. More
information is available at theCommission website or
by calling 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782.
Energy Assistance Program
Minnesota’s
Energy Assistance Program helps homeowners and renters earning at or below 50
percent of the state’s median income ($48,077 for a family of four) pay their
heating bills. The average annual payment per household last year was about
$520. Households with seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and children
are especially encouraged to apply.
Minnesotans
who use delivered fuels to heat their homes are eligible for Energy Assistance
Program grants even though they are not covered by the Cold Weather Rule.
Applications
were recently sent to Minnesotans who qualified for energy assistance last
year. Others who may qualify are encouraged to apply by contacting the local
service provider in their county by calling 800-657-3710. Information is also
available at theCommerce Department’s Energy
Assistance Program webpage.
The
Minnesota Commerce Department administers the program in partnership with 30
local service providers throughout the state. It is federally funded through
the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The
Commerce Department also administers theWeatherization Assistance
Program, which provides energy efficiency improvements to reduce
energy costs for needy households that meet income eligibility guidelines. Both
homeowners and renters may apply for weatherization assistance.
Other
forms of assistance may be available to Minnesotans through county social
service programs, community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies.
