Rules for cold weather, payment assistance offered
Winter is approaching. Predictions are this winter's heating bills will be higher than ever. Consumers may need to be reminded of cold weather rules and bill payment assistance.
The Kansas Corporation Commission implemented the cold weather rule because it wanted Kansans to have electric and gas service to keep their homes warm during the winter.
The KCC also recognizes it is the consumer's responsibility to make arrangements to pay for that service.
The cold weather rule was designed in 1983 to assure both goals were met. The rule is in effect from Nov. 1 through March 31.
Sign up
If unable to pay the entire utility bill, a customer should call the utility company to make pay arrangements.
Agree to pay one-twelfth of the overdue amount of the bill, plus one-twelfth of the current bill, all disconnection and reconnection fees, and pay the remainder in equal payments during the next 11 months.
A customer could negotiate a payment plan to pay off the overdue amount quicker than 12 months.
Remember, a person also must pay fuel bills for new service that's used while paying off the overdue amount.
If a customer is behind in a previous payment plan and cannot catch up, make a new payment agreement with the utility.
Information
According to the KCC, utility providers must inform a consumer of the cold weather rule payment plan as well as other payment plans available.
Utility providers must send written notices to customers 10 days before disconnection, plus make a phone call or personal contact the day before. Utility providers must tell customers about agencies that have funds to help pay utility bills.
A utility company cannot disconnect a customer when the forecast temperature is to drop below 35 degrees or be in the mid- to low-30s in the next 24 hours.
LIEAP
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program is a federally-funded program that helps eligible household pay a portion of home energy costs.
In order to quality, applicants must meet the following requirements: an adult living at the address must be personally responsible for paying heating costs incurred at the current residence payable either to the landlord or to the fuel vendor; applicants must demonstrate a recent history of payments of the primary heating source; and the combined gross income, before deductions, of all people living at the address must not exceed 130 percent of the federal poverty level.
Benefit levels vary according to household income, number of people living at the address, type of dwelling, type of heating fuel, and utility rates.
This application period ended in March. Contact SRS for more information on other assistance programs.
K-WAP
The Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program operates year round. It's an energy conservation program that helps qualified households pay for home weatherization needs.
Eligibly income guidelines differ from LIEPA and are 150 percent of the federal poverty level or 60 percent of the state median income, whichever is greater.
Households are automatically eligible if one person is receiving temporary assistance to families, or supplemental social security income.
Elderly, disabled, or those with at least one child in the home are identified as a special population which deems them a priority when a waiting list for services develops.
Emergency situations also receive priority, for example a furnace tests positive for carbon monoxide.
Weatherization services and materials may include weatherization needs assessments, caulking, insulation, storm windows, modifications, and repairs or replacement of heating or cooling systems. Call (800) 752-4422 for an application or more information.
SRS access points
There are 13 SRS access points with Marion County.
Burns Post Office provides borchures
Burns Post Office provides
