Energy Assistance
Header photo for Payment Arrangements and Energy Assistance page

Payment arrangements and energy assistance

If you cannot pay your energy bill due to financial difficulties, one of our flexible payment plans may help.

To make a payment arrangement please contact Customer Service at 507-433-8886 or customerservice@austinutilities.com

COLD WEATHER RULE

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule applies from October 1 through April 30. The rule provides that a utility cannot disconnect your residential electric service during the winter if the customer meets the following requirements.

  • The customer's account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 1 or the customer has entered into an acceptable payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.

  • The household income of the customer is less than 50% of the state median income, as documented by the customer to the utility.

  • Utility disconnect would affect the customer's primary heat source.

  • The customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the utility.

  • The customer has to pay at least 10% of monthly income or the full amount of the utility bill or whichever is less.

Payment Assistance Options

The Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program administered through the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The program provides financial assistance to help with household winter heating bills. Both homeowners and renters may apply.

https://mn.gov/commerce/energy/

Semcac 1-800-944-3281 (Energy Assistance & Weatherization Programs)

Semcac-EAP

PO Box 549

Rushford, MN 55971

Applications can be filled out online

Or completed applications and supporting documents can be downloaded and mailed or emailed in to eap@semcac.org

Weatherization

The Weatherization Assistance Program is a year-round program funded by the Federal and State Government as well as local Utilities that provides energy saving home improvements to income-eligible households to reduce energy use and costs as well as keeping the household healthy and safe.

If you need an application, call the Energy Assistance program at 1-800-944-3281 e-mail eap@semcac.org or download an application by clicking here.

Minnesota Weatherization Assistance Client Education Series (English, Espanol, Soomaali, Hmoob, Visually Impaired )