CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to leverage energy assistance and payment plans to help manage winter heating bills

CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to leverage energy assistance and payment plans to help manage winter heating bills

Resources are available to help Minnesotans stay safe and warm during the winter heating season

Wednesday-December-11-2024

Minneapolis - Dec. 11, 2024 - With subzero temperatures hitting Minnesota and the Midwest this week, CenterPoint Energy is reminding residential customers about tools and resources that may be available to them this winter heating season to help manage their energy usage and their bills. Customers who may be facing financial hardship are encouraged to call CenterPoint to set up a payment plan and be referred to resources for energy assistance.

Under Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, residential customers who are having difficulty paying their heating bills are required to set up a payment plan with their utility to prevent disconnection of their service between Oct. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. To arrange a payment plan, CenterPoint customers can call 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Assistance.

CenterPoint representatives can also refer customers to resources that provide financial assistance for heating costs such as Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program. This federally funded program helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-eligible households. Applications are still being accepted for this program, and funds remain for Minnesotans this heating season.

"For customers who may be facing financial hardship, we have tips, tools and programs to help them manage their bills and save energy. We encourage customers to contact us now to set up a payment plan and see if they're eligible for energy assistance programs for their heating bills," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint Energy's Vice President, Minnesota Gas. "Our representatives will work with each customer to identify programs that may be available so they and their loved ones can stay safe and warm this winter."

CenterPoint customers can also enroll in an Average Monthly Billing Plan, which spreads costs throughout the year to help manage periods of peak usage such as the winter heating season, at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377.

Customers are encouraged to take advantage of energy efficiency programs to assist in managing natural gas bills including home energy audits, weatherization efforts such as air sealing and insulation, and installing more efficient appliances. Energy efficiency programs may be available at low- or no-cost for customers who qualify. More information on efficiency programs and rebates can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/EfficiencyPrograms.

CenterPoint is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving more than 920,000 residential and business customers in over 260 communities.

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