Cold Weather Rule will keep you warm, even if you're having problems paying your bills

If you're struggling to pay your heat bill, your utility company won’t shut off your services during the coldest months of the year.

Kansas and Missouri both have variations of what they call the Cold Weather Rule.

In Missouri, the rule means utility companies cannot shut off your heat when temperatures drop below 32 degrees for 24 hours.

On the Kansas side of the state line, utility companies cannot shut off your heat when the 48-hour weather forecast predicts temperatures will drop below 35 degrees.

The program starts every year on Nov. 1 and remains in effect through March 31.

The Cold Weather Rule relates to any residential gas or electric service that is necessary to function and operate heating equipment.

According to the Missouri Public Service Commission, since its inception in 1977, the Cold Weather Rule has helped nearly 3 million customers maintain heat-related service during the cold winter months.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay your heat bill during the winter. If you are a Kansas City Power & Light customer and are worried about paying your bill, call (816) 471-5275 or 1-888-471-5275 and ask for the Cold Weather Payment Program.