Kansas Cold Weather Rule and LIEAP Application Deadline Reminder

Kansas KCC News

Published March 26th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is reminding utility customers that the Cold Weather Rule ends on March 31, 2026, and the application period for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) also closes on the same date. Customers are urged to contact their utilities or apply for LIEAP before the deadlines to avoid disconnection or loss of assistance.

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What changed

The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has issued a notice reminding utility customers of two upcoming deadlines. The Cold Weather Rule, which protects residential customers from disconnection when temperatures drop below 35 degrees and requires utilities to offer 12-month payment plans, will end on March 31, 2026. After this date, failure to make payment arrangements or adhere to existing plans may result in disconnection, potentially requiring past due balances to be paid in full for reconnection.

Additionally, March 31, 2026, is the final day to apply for the federally funded Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). The KCC strongly advises customers facing financial difficulties to contact their utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office immediately to arrange payment plans or apply for LIEAP assistance before the respective deadlines to ensure continued service and support.

What to do next

Contact utility provider to arrange a 12-month payment plan before March 31, 2026.
Apply for LIEAP assistance by March 31, 2026, if eligible.
Review utility's policy regarding reconnection requirements after March 31.

Penalties

Disconnection of utility service may occur after March 31 if payment arrangements are not made or adhered to. Reconnection may require past due balances to be paid in full.

Source document (simplified)

News Release

For more information contact: Linda Berry, KCC Director of Public Affairs (785) 271-3269

March 26, 2026

Cold Weather Rule and LIEAP application period end soon

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) wants to remind utility customers that there are two important dates coming up next week. First, the Cold Weather Rule ends on Tuesday, March 31. The Cold Weather Rule protects residential customers, served by KCC regulated utilities, from disconnection when temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees.

When the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, regulated utilities are required to offer a 12-month payment plan upon request, even if a previous payment plan has been broken. When that protection ends on Tuesday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances to be paid in full, depending on the utility's policy. That is why it is important to call now – while regulated utilities are still required to offer the Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plan.

In addition, March 31 is the deadline to apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIEAP. Applications for the federally funded program must be received by the Kansas Department of Children and Families by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. Information about the program is available at https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

The Commission urges all customers facing financial difficulties to act now to stay connected. To find out more about utility assistance programs in your area, please contact your utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140. Utility assistance program information is also posted on the KCC’s website.

It is important to note that the Commission does not regulate co-ops or municipal utilities, although many of those utilities also offer a cold weather payment plan. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit: http://kcc.ks.gov/about-us/jurisdiction.