Can They Shut Off My Heat If I Can’t Pay In Minnesota?

Minnesota and other northern climate states often provide protection for residents in the cold winter months. After all, we live in an area where you can die from just being outside.

With the rising cost of everything, including recent rate hikes in many municipalities, some people may be worried about paying their utility bills. Minnesota has a law to protect people in the winter months, but it takes effort on the utility customer's part.

Minnesota Cold Weather Rule

Under Minnesota's cold weather rule, customers must agree to a payment plan with the utility company. The customer must make a reasonable effort to follow the payment plan.

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It's eligible for households earning less than 50% of the state's median income. As of October 2024, the state's median household income is $80,441. 50% of that would be $40,220.

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What if my utilities were already disconnected?

Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule prevents disconnection from October through April. But, if you have already disconnected your utilities, you can apply for reconnection. The company then is required to work with the customer to get a payment plan in place.

There are other programs available to also help with energy costs.

People across the United States can apply for the LIHEAP program. That stands for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. 6.7 million households use it to help with heating and even cooling bills. Just as our northern climate can be deadly, so can our hotter parts of the country.

Learn more from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has all the information and resources you need to keep your heat on this winter.