Help paying utility bills in Missouri

Missouri's Cold Weather Rule, November 1 to March 31

The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) enforces a Cold Weather Rule for the natural gas and electric utilities it regulates from November 1 through March 31. During that period, a utility cannot shut off heat-related service for nonpayment on a day when the National Weather Service forecast predicts the temperature will drop below 32 degrees in the next 24 hours. Before a winter shutoff, the utility must mail notice at least 10 days ahead and make further contact attempts, including within the final 96 hours. Notices must explain the payment terms and the help available from the state agency and charities. City-owned systems, electric cooperatives and propane dealers are outside the rule, so ask them about their own winter policies.

Payment terms and reconnection under the rule

The rule gives you real leverage. The utility must first offer a 12-month budget plan covering past-due amounts, current bills and estimated future bills, and you can agree to longer terms if that amount is out of reach. The initial payment is generally no more than 12 percent of the 12-month budget bill unless you agree otherwise, and a pledge from the agency that runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) counts as that payment. If your service is already off, the utility must reconnect you without a deposit when you request it, state that you cannot pay in full, make the initial payment, sign an agreement and provide requested income information. Gas utilities use a separate initial payment formula, so ask yours to explain it.

Registering as an elderly or disabled customer

Missouri lets certain households register with their utility for extra winter protection. You can register if someone in the home is 65 or older, has a physician-certified need for utility service to maintain life or health, or has a formal federal disability benefits award letter. Registration must be renewed each year, ideally by October 1. Registered customers get added notifications before a proposed shutoff, including notice to a third party you list. If your household income is also below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and you sign an affidavit, the utility cannot disconnect you during the cold weather period as long as you make the initial payment and keep paying at least half of each actual bill or your agreed budget amount, whichever is less.

The summer hot weather law

Missouri also protects cooling. Section 393.108 of the Missouri statutes bars gas or electric shutoffs for nonpayment from June 1 to September 30 on any day when the local National Weather Service forecast for the next 72 hours predicts a temperature above 95 degrees or a heat index above 105 degrees. It covers residential users, including tenants in apartment buildings, where gas or electricity runs the home's cooling. A shutoff is also barred when no utility crew is available to reconnect service on the following days and the forecast for that stretch is just as hot. The current version of the law took effect August 28, 2025, so check older summaries you find online against it before relying on them.

LIHEAP and crisis help from the Department of Social Services

The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) runs LIHEAP through local contracted agencies. Energy Assistance is a one-time payment toward heating or cooling costs for one fuel type, available October through May. The winter Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) runs November through May, depending on funding, and pays up to $800 when you have a disconnect notice or face another crisis. Summer ECIP runs June through September and pays up to $300. You must be a Missouri resident who pays the home's utilities, renters included, with $3,000 or less in bank, retirement or investment accounts. Apply online, by mail or in person at your contracted agency. Keep paying what you can, since benefits are sent to the utility.

Ameren Missouri programs and PSC help

Ameren Missouri lists several programs. Keeping Current provides a monthly bill credit and helps reduce what you owe, Keeping Cool offers up to five $50 credits from May through September, and Dollar More, funded by voluntary customer and company contributions, offers up to $600 per calendar year. Clean Slate clears past-due balances for eligible customers, and veterans and military families can call 211 about Veterans Energy Assistance. Ameren also lists weatherization at no cost for qualified homeowners and renters. If another company serves you, ask what it offers. When a regulated utility will not follow the rule, contact the PSC's consumer services staff through psc.mo.gov, and keep your shutoff notice and payment records handy for the review.

A private Settlemont request for a Missouri bill

Settlemont is a for-profit bill payment technology company, not an assistance agency, and it works alongside the programs above. You can submit one overdue Utility bill using your first name, email, state, category, amount and due date. A one-time access code then lets you name the utility in a private step so staff can verify the biller, confirm you are the bill owner and check the current balance. Approved pages show only a first name, the state, the category and the verified amount. Supporters pay a 7 percent card fee or 5 percent bank fee added on top of what they choose, and nothing is preselected. A bill counts as paid only after a reviewer records the utility's confirmation reference and a zero balance.

Sources

• Missouri Public Service Commission: Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1
• 20 CSR 4240-13.055: Cold weather maintenance of service (Cornell LII copy of the Missouri rule)
• Revisor of Missouri: Section 393.108, hot weather rule
• Missouri Department of Social Services: LIHEAP
• Ameren Missouri: Energy assistance

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

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