Missouri Cold Weather Rule 2026–27: Keeping Heat On in St. Louis This Winter
Updated: 3 hours ago
St. Louis households heating with Spire gas or Ameren Missouri electric have a winter safety net: Missouri's Cold Weather Rule. From November 1 through March 31, the rule limits shutoffs of heat-related utility service and requires utilities to offer easier payment terms.
It's not a full winter shutoff ban, though. It protects you on cold days and when you set up a payment agreement. People who wait for the utility to act usually get less protection than people who call first.
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Confirm details with your utility or the PSC.
Does the Rule Cover You?
The PSC says the rule covers residential natural gas or electric service that's needed to run heating equipment, from investor-owned utilities it regulates. In St. Louis, that typically means Spire (gas) and Ameren Missouri (electric).
Not covered, per the PSC: municipal utilities, cooperatives, and propane delivered by truck. If your heat comes from one of these, call the provider directly about its winter policy.
Protection 1: No Shutoff on Cold Days
The PSC says your utility can't shut off service on a day when the National Weather Service forecasts the temperature will drop below 32°F during the following 24 hours.
The catch: if it's too cold on the scheduled day, the utility can disconnect the next day if the forecast is warmer. The PSC says it doesn't have to send a new notice if it's within 30 calendar days of the date on the original notice. One warm day can end your protection.
Protection 2: Notice Before Shutoff
The PSC says during the Cold Weather Rule period, the utility must:
mail you a notice 10 days before the shutoff date;
try to contact you within 96 hours before the shutoff (a second notice, a door hanger, or two phone attempts);
try to contact you right before the shutoff; and
leave a notice at your home when service is shut off.
The notices must tell you how to avoid the shutoff. Read them.
Protection 3: A Cold Weather Rule Payment Agreement
This is the real protection. The PSC says to get it, you must:
Contact the utility.
Say you can't pay in full.
Give monthly or annual income information.
Make a minimum payment.
Enter into a payment agreement.
What the utility must offer (if you haven't defaulted on a past Cold Weather Rule agreement): a 12-month budget plan with an initial payment no more than 12% of the total due under the plan. The PSC flier says you may also be able to spread older past-due balances over 12 months.
Deposits: The PSC says the utility may not require a deposit if you enter a payment agreement and keep it.
If You Broke a Past Agreement
The PSC says you don't have to pay the full balance to get reconnected:
Electric (Ameren Missouri): the utility will require an initial payment of up to 80% of your total balance.
Natural gas (Spire): you may make an initial payment of 50% of your balance or $500, whichever is less. The rest is spread over a 12-month Cold Weather Rule plan.
Limits for gas customers: the PSC says a gas utility doesn't have to offer these lenient terms more than once every two years, or if you've defaulted on a Cold Weather Rule plan three or more times. Then you'd need to pay 80% of the balance to keep or restore service.
Registered Elderly or Disabled Customers
This status gives the strongest protection. Register with your utility before winter.
Who can register, per the PSC:
people 65 or older;
people with a medical form from a physician filed with the utility saying the household must have gas or electric service to maintain life or health; or
people with a formal federal disability benefits award letter.
Low-income registered customers (household income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines) who are on a Cold Weather Rule payment plan can't be disconnected if they pay at least 50% of either:
the actual bill for that billing period, or
the level bill amount under the payment plan.
Renew every year. The PSC says registration must be renewed annually, by October 1 of each year after the first registration. If you missed October 1, call your utility now and ask how to register for this winter.
Get Help Paying: LIHEAP and More
LIHEAP. The PSC says the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households with heating and cooling bills. Apply at your local Community Action Agency. Funds are limited, so apply early.
The PSC lists items you may need for LIHEAP:
recent utility bills;
proof of income (Social Security, unemployment, pension, disability, etc.);
a final utility termination notice, if you have one;
proof of address (rent receipt, lease, or deed); and
proof of everyone living in your household.
Spire's suggestions:
Log in to your Spire account or call its automated line for payment arrangements and budget billing.
Call 2-1-1 for help finding LIHEAP and DollarHelp.
Call your local Spire team about Spire-specific assistance programs.
Ameren Missouri customers: call the number on your bill and ask for a Cold Weather Rule payment agreement. Use those exact words.
A Script for the Call
"I can't pay my full balance. I want to set up a Cold Weather Rule payment agreement. My household income is ___ a month. I can pay ___ today. Please tell me the initial payment under the 12-month budget plan. I'm also applying for LIHEAP."
Write down the date, the representative's name, the agreed amounts, and any confirmation number.
Common Mistakes
Not mentioning the Cold Weather Rule by name. You may get a standard payment plan instead.
Assuming no shutoffs all winter. The temperature protection is day by day.
Missing a plan payment. Defaulting makes reconnection harder.
Not renewing elderly or disabled registration by October 1.
Waiting for LIHEAP before calling the utility. Do both now.
Using an oven or grill to heat the home. Spire warns never to heat your home with appliances not designed for space heating.
If the Utility Won't Follow the Rule
First try to solve it with the utility. Then contact the Missouri PSC at 1-800-392-4211 or pscinfo@psc.mo.gov. For legal questions, the PSC points people to the Office of the Public Counsel.
FAQ
When is the Missouri Cold Weather Rule in effect? November 1 through March 31.
Can they shut my gas off in January? Not on a day forecast to drop below 32°F during the next 24 hours, but they can on warmer days if you haven't set up a payment agreement.
How much do I pay up front for a Cold Weather Rule plan? If you haven't defaulted before, no more than 12% of the total due under a 12-month budget plan.
I broke a plan last year. Can I still get reconnected? Yes. Electric: up to 80% of the balance. Gas: 50% or $500, whichever is less, with limits on how often.
Does the rule cover propane? Not truck-delivered propane, municipal utilities, or cooperatives.
Related Guides
More help in St. Louis
Every guide we have for St. Louis is listed on our St. Louis financial help hub. Related guides for the same area:
Sources
Missouri PSC, Cold Weather Rule pamphlet: https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/ConsumerInformation/CWR%202017%20Text%20Web%20Version%20Final.pdf
Missouri PSC, Cold Weather Rule flier: https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/ConsumerInformation/CWR%20Flier.pdf
20 CSR 4240-13.055, Cold Weather Maintenance of Service: https://regulations.justia.com/states/missouri/title-20/division-4240/chapter-13/section-20-csr-4240-13-055/
Spire, Cold Weather: https://www.spireenergy.com/coldweather
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