Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule: what it protects, and what it doesn't

The name suggests that nobody can lose heat in winter. The rule is narrower than that. It sets extra steps a utility must take between October 1 and April 30 before it disconnects a residential customer, and the strongest protection depends on a payment agreement that you make and keep. It does not erase a bill, and it says nothing about whether your home is warm. Read the sources linked below for your own situation; this guide summarizes public materials and is not legal advice.

Which law applies depends on your utility

Minnesota has more than one statute. Section 216B.096 is the general cold weather rule. Section 216B.097 is titled "Cold Weather Rule; Cooperative or Municipal Utility" and covers residential customers of cooperative electric associations and municipal utilities. An earlier draft of this guide pointed to 216B.097 for the 10 percent cap; the cap is in 216B.096, subdivision 5, not 216B.097. If you are not sure who your utility is, check the bill.

Who it covers

The Public Utilities Commission has said that gas and electric utilities take part and that renters are eligible if heat is electric or gas and the account is in their name. We could not re-read that page on November 6, 2026, because it redirected to a bot-check screen, which we did not try to get around. The rule does not apply to delivered fuels: oil, propane or wood. If your furnace runs on electricity, apply through your electric company.

What the law sets

For households at or below 50 percent of state median income, the statute says a utility may not disconnect while you keep a payment agreement, and it cannot require more than 10 percent of household income. The statute also sets a goal of restoring service within 24 hours of an agreement. Above that income, the statute says you have the right to a payment agreement that considers your financial circumstances, and you may not be disconnected while making timely payments under an accepted agreement. An earlier draft said reconnection above that income depends on an agreement the utility accepts; that was incomplete, and this version replaces it.

If a shutoff notice arrives

The Attorney General's office says a notice should come with a statement of your rights and related documents. For cooperative and municipal utilities, 216B.097 sets notice periods (at least 30 days after mailing or 15 days after personal delivery) and bars disconnection on weekends, holidays, the day before a holiday and, in most cases, Fridays. An appeal pauses disconnection until it is resolved. For other utilities, the Attorney General's page says disconnections are typically barred on those days too, and that medical situations have their own protections.

Call the utility first and ask about a payment plan. LIHEAP is the federal energy assistance program the state runs through the Department of Commerce, and the Attorney General's page links it to households at or below 50 percent of state median income. Larger utilities, those with more than 3,000 customers, are required to offer budget billing. Disputes go to the Public Utilities Commission.

Common mistakes

Assuming the rule means no bill. Assuming a missed payment is forgiven: the Commission has said a customer who misses payments may not get a new plan until the next season, though that comes from the page we could not re-read. Assuming it covers propane or oil. Using the wrong statute for a co-op or city utility. Waiting until after the notice date to call.

What differs by utility

Investor-owned utilities fall under 216B.096. Cooperative and municipal utilities have their own section with explicit notice and day-of-week rules. Delivered fuels are outside both. We did not read individual utilities' own policies, which can add more.

What to do

Find out who supplies your power and heat. If you get a notice, call the utility before the disconnection date and ask for a payment agreement. Ask whether you qualify for LIHEAP through the Department of Commerce. Keep copies of notices and agreements. If you disagree with the utility, use the complaint route for your utility type and write down dates. If you lose heat, do not rely on this guide for safety; contact your utility, local emergency services or a county assistance office.

What we could not confirm

The Commission's own page: it was blocked on our re-read, so its statements (10-day appeal window, renter eligibility, loss of eligibility after missed payments) are carried from our earlier reading and marked not checked. The Attorney General's page states no appeal deadline. We did not check current income thresholds in dollars. We did not test any phone line.