Your MoneyTuesday, November 3
Kansas' Cold Weather Rule is now in effect and can keep your utilities on through March 31
The Daily Topeka team
If you're behind on a gas, electric or water bill, the Cold Weather Rule began Sunday, Nov. 1. While it's in effect, utilities can't disconnect your service when local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the next 48 hours.
The Cold Weather Rule runs from Nov. 1 to March 31
- 1983The Kansas Corporation Commission adopts the Cold Weather Rule.
- Nov. 1This winter's Cold Weather Rule period begins.
- March 2027The Cold Weather Rule period ends.
Sources: KSNT, KSCB News.net
Utilities must also offer a 12-month payment plan to help you keep or restore service. Any residential customer with a past-due balance qualifies, but it's on you to contact the utility. To start, you pay one-twelfth of the total owed, one-twelfth of the current bill, any disconnection or reconnection fee and any deposit.
- Applies to: residential customers of utilities under KCC jurisdiction
- Many municipal utilities and cooperatives have similar winter policies
- Leftover balance: equal payments over 11 months, plus your current bill
The payment plan by the numbers
- 35 degrees
- forecast low that pauses disconnections
- 12 months
- is the payment plan utilities must offer
- 1/12
- of the total owed starts the plan
- 11
- equal payments cover the leftover balance
Sources: KSNT, KSCB News.net
We suggest calling your utility early. You can also reach the KCC's Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at (800) 662-0027 or 785-271-3140.
Sources: KSNT, KSCB News.net