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Minnesota Cold Weather Rule

October 26, 2026

Cold Weather Rule begins Oct. 1: Take Steps Now to Keep Your Electric Service from Being Shut Off this Winter

Minnesota’s seasonal protection can help eligible households avoid shut off, but members must contact Stearns Electric Association and take action to qualify.

Our goal at Stearns Electric Association is to help members stay connected and pay their bills on time. If financial assistance is needed, we can direct you to resources that may help get you through a particularly hard financial time and keep your electricity connected.

If you are running into trouble and worried about paying your electric bill this winter, now is a good time to apply for protection under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule, which starts Oct. 1. The rule can help protect eligible residential members from being turned off through April 30, but protection is not automatic. Members must contact the cooperative, provide required information and establish a payment plan they can maintain.

WHAT IS THE MINNESOTA COLD WEATHER RULE?
The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (CWR) protects residential utility customers during the cold winter months. Under this rule, your electric service will not be disconnected for non-payment between October 1 through April 30 if electricity is the primary heat source and you meet CWR requirements.

To qualify, you must meet ALL the following conditions:

• You declare an inability to pay by completing the “Inability to Pay Form.”
• Your total household, not individual, income is at or below 50% of the state median income. You must provide the necessary documentation to support this condition.
• Your account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 1, or you mutually agree to a payment arrangement with the Stearns Electric billing department.

If you do not meet all these listed conditions, then you do not qualify for the winter shut-off protection. However, you can continue to receive electric service if you call us to make a mutually acceptable payment arrangement. The law does allow for Stearns Electric to disconnect, when necessary, from October 1 to April 30, so please act promptly.

SHOULD I WAIT UNTIL I CAN’T PAY MY ELECTRIC BILL?
If you cannot pay your bill in full — or expect to fall behind — call the cooperative before the payment deadline. Reaching out early gives our staff members the best opportunity to review payment options and explain any protections for which you may qualify.

Before disconnecting electric service during this time, Stearns Electric must provide:

• A 30-day notice of disconnection;
• A statement of members’ rights and responsibilities;
• A list of local energy assistance providers;
• Forms on which to request CWR protection; and
• A statement explaining available payment plans and other options to continue service.

To avoid a disconnection under the CWR, you must make and keep an acceptable payment arrangement with the Cooperative and meet all the conditions listed above. This applies to all residential customers, including senior citizens and families with young children. If you make and keep a CWR payment arrangement, you are protected until April 30.

HOW CAN I AVOID HAVING MY ELECTRICITY SHUT OFF?
One of the steps that members may take to avoid being disconnected is to work with us on an acceptable payment plan. We understand paying your bill can be hard at times. We want to work with you to keep your electricity turned on. When you call, be prepared to discuss your current balance, what you can reasonably pay and when you expect to make future payments.

Eligible households may also qualify for help through state or local energy-assistance programs (learn more: https://www.stearnselectric.org/account-services/billing-information/financial-assistance/.) Because funding can be limited, apply as early as possible and provide all requested documentation.

Applying for assistance does not automatically stop a disconnection. You must keep in touch with Stearns Electric and follow the terms of any payment arrangement while your application is being reviewed. If your circumstances change, call (800) 962-0655 immediately rather than missing an agreed payment without explanation.

FIVE STEPS THAT CAN HELP KEEP YOUR SERVICE CONNECTED

1. Contact us early. Call well before the payment deadline or scheduled disconnection date.
2. Respond to every notice. Read letters, emails and account messages, and return requested forms promptly.
3. Make a realistic payment arrangement. Agree to an amount and schedule you can reasonably maintain, but it must be enough to keep you from falling way behind.
4. Apply for assistance promptly. Ask about local, county and state energy-assistance programs and submit complete documentation.
5. Stay in communication. If you cannot meet an agreed payment, contact Stearns Electric immediately to discuss your situation.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Stearns Electric works closely with members during the Cold Weather Rule period, just as we do throughout the year. We don’t want to interrupt service to any member, but in a cooperative, all members suffer when any bill remains unpaid. Stearns Electric would rather work with members to establish and maintain adequate payment arrangements of their past due bill, but sometimes a disconnection must take place.