CenterPoint Energy Inc.
04/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2024 08:42
Assistance still available to help pay winter heating bills
Assistance still available to help pay winter heating bills
As Cold Weather Rule protection ends, CenterPoint Energy encourages eligible Minnesota customers to apply for energy assistance by May 31 deadline
Wednesday-April-24-2024
Minneapolis - April 24, 2024 - Temperatures are warming up as summer quickly approaches, signaling the end of the winter heating season. Also ending soon is Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, which protects Minnesotans who experience difficulty paying their heating bill from having their natural gas service disconnected between Oct. 1 and April 30.
CenterPoint Energy is reminding its residential customers that assistance is still available to help pay their natural gas bills. Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that helps cover home heating costs for income-qualified households.
Both renters and homeowners can qualify, with eligibility based on income and household size. For example, a family of four could earn up to $70,552 annually and qualify to receive assistance. The deadline to apply is May 31.
Customers who have difficulty paying their winter heating bills should contact CenterPoint Energy to see if they are eligible for the Energy Assistance Program or to set up a payment plan to prevent disconnection of their service. A payment plan takes into consideration a customer's financial situation and any other special circumstances.
Customers can call CenterPoint Energy at 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Assistance.
CenterPoint Energy customers may also sign up for an Average Monthly Billing Plan, which spreads costs throughout the year to help manage winter payment peaks. A customer can sign up at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377.
Customers are encouraged to take advantage of energy efficiency offerings and resources to assist in managing natural gas bills during the heating season. More information on rebates and efficiency programs can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.
CenterPoint Energy is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving more than 920,000 residential and business customers in more than 260 local communities.