Minnesota Energy Resources wants to help customers keep their natural gas on when they need it most — during the cold winter months. The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (CWR) protects eligible customers from natural gas shut offs from Oct. 1 to April 30.
Those who enter into a payment agreement with us and continue making specified monthly payments by their due date will be protected from any collection activity or natural gas service shut off during the CWR period.
In addition, if you’re eligible for the state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program, you’re also eligible for a reduced CWR payment plan. Those below 60% of the state medium income (SMI), as indicated in the chart that follows, are not required to pay more than 10% of their household income each month.
Please note: If you are signed up in the CWR plan you must continue to make required monthly payments to maintain protection from service disconnection.
2026 Maximum EAP Income Guidelines
Based on 50% of State Median Income (SMI) for household sizes 1-18 and on 110% of Federal Poverty Guidelines for household sizes 19-20.
| Household Size |
Annual Income |
1 Month Max. Guidelines |
| 1 |
$ 37,439 |
$ 3,119 |
| 2 |
$ 48,959 |
$ 4,079 |
| 3 |
$ 60,479 |
$ 5,039 |
| 4 |
$ 71,999 |
$ 5,999 |
| 5 |
$ 83,518 |
$ 6,959 |
| 6 |
$ 95,038 |
$ 7,919 |
| 7 |
$ 97,198 |
$ 8,099 |
| 8 |
$ 99,358 |
$ 8,279 |
| 9 |
$ 101,518 |
$ 8,459 |
| 10 |
$ 103,678 |
$ 8,639 |
| 11 |
$ 105,838 |
$ 8,819 |
| 12 |
$ 107,998 |
$ 8,999 |
| 13 |
$ 110,158 |
$ 9,179 |
| 14 |
$ 112,318 |
$ 9,359 |
| 15 |
$ 114,478 |
$ 9,539 |
| 16 |
$ 116,638 |
$ 9,719 |
| 17 |
$ 118,798 |
$ 9,889 |
| 18 |
$ 120,958 |
$ 10,079 |
| 19 |
$ 126,116 |
$ 10,509 |
| 20 |
$ 132,165 |
$ 11,013 |
Customers can apply for Cold Weather Rule protection by contacting Minnesota Energy Resources at 800-889-9508 to discuss eligibility for enrollment.
