A past-due notice in November can sound like the start of a long, cold winter. In five Midwestern states, though, rules exist to keep the heat on for many households, and the details of who is covered, when and at what cost change at every state line.
Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois all limit winter utility shutoffs in some form, and several of the protections run well into spring. Each one works differently, and in most cases a customer has to ask for help rather than wait for it to arrive.
Ohio’s Special Reconnect Order Runs to April 16
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio issued its special reconnect order on Sept. 30, and it covers Oct. 12, 2026, through April 16, 2027, according to the commission’s bulletin. Residential customers of regulated electric or natural gas utilities can use it once per heating season, with no income requirement. Readers following other states can compare notes with this earlier look at winter shutoff protections in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and one more state.
Under the order, customers pay up to $175 plus any reconnection charge, and that charge cannot exceed $36. Anything above $36 may be added to the next monthly bill. Help with heating costs also exists elsewhere in the Midwest, as in Illinois, where heating aid opened to eligible households. Households at or below 175 percent of federal income guidelines can apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program winter crisis help to cover the $175. Lower bills over the long run are the goal of a Frenz Hub roundup of energy efficient home improvement tips that save money.
Michigan’s Two Winter Protection Plans
Michigan runs two separate programs from Nov. 1 through March 31, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. The Low Income Winter Protection Plan covers customers at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, as well as those who receive state cash assistance, SSI, SNAP or Medicaid.
Participants have to show proof of income and prove they applied for state or federal heating assistance. They also pay at least 7 percent of their estimated annual bill each month, and any past-due balance is spread across equal monthly installments. A separate senior citizen protection covers customers 65 and older during the same dates. The commission notes that some municipal electric utilities and electric cooperatives may not offer these protections. Renters weighing smaller spaces can browse studio apartment living ideas. Families watching a tight budget may find ideas in a piece on kitchen remodel ideas on a shoestring budget, and readers curious about thermostat settings can see what experts say is the ideal home temperature for winter.
Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule Stretches Into Late April
Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule runs Oct. 1 through April 30 and applies to residential customers who are heat-affected and unable to pay, according to Minnesota Power’s explanation of the rule. It does not stop winter shutoffs automatically. A customer who gets a notice has to call the utility and ask for protection and a payment plan. Another Frenz Hub guide on saving money at home covers xeriscaping ideas to save money at home.
Households with income at or below 50 percent of the state median do not have to pay more than 10 percent of monthly household income. Those above that line can still arrange a plan. If the customer and the utility cannot agree, there are 10 days to appeal to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and service stays on during the appeal. Payment plans run until April 30 unless other arrangements are made, so a balance left past that date without a new plan could lead to disconnection. Readers weighing thermostat habits can see a piece on what keeping a cold house all winter is often tied to.
Iowa’s Moratorium Ends April 1
Iowa’s winter disconnection moratorium runs from Nov. 1 through April 1, according to the Iowa Utilities Commission. It applies to low-income customers who are certified as eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Low Income Home Weatherization Program, so certification is the key step.
Illinois Begins Its Winter Rule on Dec. 1
In Illinois, the winter rule starts Dec. 1 and lasts through March 31 of the following year, according to the state’s Administrative Code. It covers residential customers and master-metered apartment buildings where gas or electricity is the main source of heat, and it bars electric and gas utilities from disconnecting service during that period.
There are exceptions. A utility can still disconnect if it offered a winter deferred payment arrangement that the customer refused or failed to enter, gave the customer contact details for bill assistance and met every other notice requirement. Disconnection cannot happen until six business days after notice.
For all five states, the common thread is a simple one: contact the utility early, and ask what is available before a bill falls behind.
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This article was produced with AI assistance and edited for accuracy against the sources linked above.