KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas "Cold Weather Rule," which is meant to help Kansas residents who are behind on utility payments during the winter, will go into effect on Saturday, Nov. 1.

During the Cold Weather Rule, utility companies cannot disconnect a customer's service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period.

The rule also requires utility companies to offer a 12-month payment plan for customers to maintain or restore service.

Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements, but it is the customer's responsibility to contact the utility company to make those payment plans.

Customers must pay 1/12 – a little more than 8% – of the total amount owed as part of the payment plan terms, a

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