Help paying utility bills in Minnesota

Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, October 1 to April 30

Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule protects natural gas and electric customers from October 1 through April 30, but it is not automatic. You must contact your utility, set up a payment plan and keep making the payments. If you do, the utility cannot disconnect you, and if you are already off, it must reconnect you. Households at or below 50 percent of state median income cannot be required to pay more than 10 percent of monthly household income toward current and past-due heating bills. Every residential customer may be eligible for some kind of plan, whatever the income. The rule does not cover fuel oil, propane or wood, so households that rely on delivered fuels should apply for energy assistance early in the season.

Shutoff limits during heat alerts

Minnesota law also protects households in hot weather. Under Minnesota Statutes section 216B.0975, a utility may not involuntarily disconnect residential service in an affected county while a National Weather Service excessive heat watch, heat advisory or excessive heat warning is in effect. The law reaches electric public utilities, city-owned utilities and electric cooperatives. It pauses a shutoff; it does not erase what you owe. If summer bills have stacked up, treat a heat alert as your signal to call the utility and work out a payment agreement before the alert ends and normal collection resumes. Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with and the terms you agreed to, in case questions come up later.

Medical certification and payment agreement rights

Section 216B.098 requires a utility to continue or reconnect service where a medical emergency exists, once it receives certification from a medical doctor, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. A provider can certify by phone first, with written certification following within five business days. A certification lasts up to six months from the written date, and the utility may extend it to 12 months. If your account is behind, you still need to enter a payment agreement. The same law says a utility must offer a budget billing plan and a payment agreement for arrears, and the agreement must consider your financial circumstances. The utility also cannot demand an extra deposit while you stay reasonably on time with an accepted agreement.

Energy Assistance Program through the Department of Commerce

Minnesota's share of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is delivered as the Energy Assistance Program, run by the Minnesota Department of Commerce through local service providers. Renters and homeowners can qualify based on income and household size. The program is free, pays benefits of up to $1,400, and sends the money directly to your utility or to your propane, fuel oil or wood supplier. Apply online through the state's application portal, or request a paper application and mail it to your local provider. For the 2026 to 2027 winter, the application deadline is May 31, 2027. Commerce also lists a Weatherization Assistance Program with local providers, which can lower future heating bills.

Emergency grants and furnace repair

Beyond the regular benefit, the Energy Assistance Program offers additional grants for households facing an energy emergency. These can help prevent a disconnection, reconnect heat or power after a shutoff, or pay for an emergency delivery of propane, heating oil or biofuel. Homeowners whose furnace or heating system has broken down may also qualify for repair or replacement help. Emergency grants go through your local Energy Assistance service provider, so call that office as soon as you get a disconnection notice or see your tank running low. Ask the provider for the current grant limit and what paperwork it needs. Bring your most recent bill, the notice and proof of income for everyone in the household.

Gas affordability programs and the PUC Consumer Affairs Office

Some Minnesota utilities run affordability programs reviewed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). CenterPoint Energy's Gas Affordability Program is aimed at customers who get LIHEAP energy assistance: you pay a flat monthly amount that will not exceed 3 percent of income, and if you keep up with those payments, the program pays down your past-due balance and protects you from gas shutoff. Ask your own electric or gas company whether it has a similar plan. If you hit a wall, the PUC Consumer Affairs Office helps customers understand their rights and options when bills are hard to pay; reach it by email or phone through the PUC website. City water utilities set separate policies, so call them directly.

Using Settlemont during a Minnesota winter

A Cold Weather Rule plan keeps the heat on, but the past-due amount still has to be paid. Settlemont lets you post that specific bill for outside support without exposing your account. The submission form asks for six things only: first name, email, state, bill category, amount and due date. After you receive a one-time private access code, you identify the utility in a separate private step, and reviewers verify the biller, the owner and the balance. A supporter who picks your bill leaves an email, and Settlemont confirms the current balance and contacts that person to complete the support, which goes directly to the utility. You pay nothing to Settlemont. Posting is no guarantee of payment, so keep every plan installment on schedule.

Sources

• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: Winter shut-off protections begin October 1
• Minnesota Department of Commerce: Energy Assistance Program
• Minnesota Department of Commerce: Additional grants for emergencies
• Minnesota Statutes 216B.0975: Disconnection during extreme heat
• Minnesota Statutes 216B.098: Residential customer protections
• CenterPoint Energy: Gas Affordability Program (Minnesota)

Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.

Related resources