Minnesota Cold Weather Rule Starts Thursday: How to Keep Your Heat On This Winter

(KNSI) – As temperatures start to dip in central Minnesota, a state law is kicking in to help keep families from losing heat this winter.

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule takes effect Thursday and runs through April 30th. The rule protects residential customers who fall behind on their heating bills from having their natural gas or electric service shut off. To get that protection, they must contact their utility and set up a payment plan when they receive a disconnection notice.

Every natural gas and electric utility in Minnesota must follow the rule, including co-ops and city-owned utilities. Customers should call their own provider to set up a plan.

Households at or below 50% of the state median income can’t be required to pay more than 10% of their monthly income toward current and past-due heating bills. For a family of four, that means an annual income of $73,969 or less. Customers above that line can still set up a payment plan with their utility.

Help paying those bills is also available. Tri-CAP in Waite Park runs the Energy Assistance Program for Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Morrison counties, and the 2026-2027 program year opens Thursday. The program uses the same income limit as the Cold Weather Rule, so households that qualify for one are likely to qualify for the other. To apply, call Tri-CAP at 320-251-1612 or click here.

The Cold Weather Rule doesn’t cover propane, fuel oil or wood. Customers who heat with those fuels should contact their supplier about payment options.

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