Heat in winter is the law for most but not all – Statement
STATEMENT (Minneapolis, Minn.) — Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is urging clients, and anyone who relies on heat assistance, to apply for help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — despite a delay in payments due to the government shutdown.
A Minnesota Star Tribune article released this week (“Federal heating aid delays leave Minnesota propane users in especially ‘precarious position’”) alerts readers that the cold weather rule — a law in Minnesota that prevents residential utility shut-off in cold months — doesn’t extend to those who heat their homes with propane or fuel oil. For help covering these energy costs, LIHEAP can help.
Residents might also be compelled to apply in the face of predictions by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA says Minnesotans will experience a snowier and colder winter this season.
“’The Cold Weather Season’ has started and, even though there may be delays or disruptions in processing and delivery of Energy Assistance funds to utility providers, Minnesota utility consumers should submit their Energy Assistance applications as soon as they can, even if funds are not yet being disbursed. By applying now, hopefully time will be saved later in getting payments delivered to utility providers, enhancing the cold weather protections for Minnesota utility consumers.”
– Gary Van Winkle, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, housing attorney
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Media contact:
Lisa Ramirez | Lramirez@mylegalaid.org
Communications Director
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
612.746.3641
Related links
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Federal heating aid delays leave Minnesota propane users… – Star Tribune