Minn. cold weather rule starts Wednesday

Snowed under
Winter is on our doorstep.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

(AP) - Minnesota's cold-weather rule kicks in Wednesday, offering help to people facing difficulty paying their utility bills.

The rule protects people from having their service shut off through the winter months. But they're required to work out regular payment plans with their utility.

All households can apply. The most payment options are reserved for those with income less than half of the state's median income for a family of four. That's almost $41,000.

The rule doesn't cover people who use delivered fuels such as fuel oil, propane and wood.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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