Help paying your electric bill in Missouri
Missouri got $92.4 million in the HHS table, about $37 for each of its 2,484,834 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; program site mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap. Heating help reached 114,219 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Missouri
- Missouri LIHEAP public lineno data
- State program sitemydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap
- Missouri Public Service Commission800-392-4211 · 573-751-3234 · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Missouri
Missouri: cold weather by dates and temperature; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 1 - March 31 |
| Cold temperature | 32°F and below |
| Hot temperature | 105°F and above |
| Health or age needs | "Utilities must postpone shut off for up to 21 days if the shut off would aggravate an existing medical emergency." |
| Also listed | Cold Weather Rule: "Customer must be a registered low income elderly or disabled customer and must enter a payment plan." |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Cold Weather Rule; Hot Weather Law.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Mo. Code Regs. tit. 20, 4240-13.010, 13.050, 13.055, 13.070 (Chapter 13, residential service and billing practices). Missouri requires a 10-day mailed notice (or 96-hour hand delivery) before electric shutoff, with a 21-day postponement for a medical emergency. From Nov 1 to Mar 31 the Cold Weather Rule bars shutoff of heat-related service when the forecast is under 32F or when the customer pays an initial amount and keeps a payment agreement. No hot-weather rule appears in this edition. Quote: “predicts that the temperature will drop below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32°F)”. Source: text of the rule (Wayback of state official (MO Secretary of State Code of State Regulations PDF, 11/30/23 edition)).
| Point | Missouri: Mo. Code Regs. tit. 20, 4240-13.010, 13.050, 13.055, 13.070 (Chapter 13, residential service and billing practices) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Cold Weather Rule (13.055), Nov 1-Mar 31, heat-related electric/gas service: no shutoff on any day the NWS forecast (6-9 a.m.) predicts temperature below 32F in the next 24 hours, where electric is the space-heating source (5)(A); also no shutoff if a customer states inability to pay in full, makes the required initial payment and enters a payment agreement (6). Registered low-income elderly/disabled customers (income under 150% of poverty) are protected Nov 1-Mar 31 while paying the lesser of 50% of the bill or the plan amount (5)(C). |
| Who is protected | 13.050(10): utility must postpone discontinuance up to 21 days if it would aggravate an existing medical emergency of the customer, family member or permanent resident; evidence may be requested. 13.055: registered elderly (65+) or disabled customers get extra notice contacts and personal contact at disconnection. |
| Notice | 13.050(5): written notice by first-class mail at least 10 days before discontinuance (or hand delivery at least 96 hours before); reasonable contact efforts at least 24 hours before (8); service cut only 8 a.m.-4 p.m., not on a day utility staff are unavailable to reconnect or the day before (3). Nov 1-Mar 31 adds second contact within 96 hours (13.055(3)). |
| Payment plan | 13.055(10): cold-weather payment agreement; utility first offers a 12-month budget plan covering arrears and estimated bills; initial payment no more than 12% of the 12-month budget amount (80% of balance after a prior default) unless otherwise agreed. |
| Who the rule covers | 13.010(1): residential utility service provided by all electric, gas, sewer and water public utilities subject to Public Service Commission jurisdiction. Co-op/municipal treatment not read. |
| Complaints | 13.070: customer first pursues the dispute with the utility, then may file an informal or formal complaint with the Public Service Commission; no shutoff over the disputed amount during an informal complaint and until at least 31 days after staff letter. No phone read. |
Not found in the text we read: heat; verify with the commission. Edition dated 11/30/23 (later amendments and any 2025-26 hot-weather statute or rule not checked); 13.055(14) gas-only provisions, tariffs and co-op/municipal rules not read.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Missouri: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Missouri | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $92,429,331 = $79,388,092 + $3,386,161 IIJA + $9,655,078 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating and Crisis: 60% SMI Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $153 minimum, $495 maximum Winter Crisis: $800 maximum Summer Crisis: $300 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 114,219 Winter Crisis: 44,911 Summer Crisis: 20,128 Weatherization: 958 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - May 31 Winter Crisis: November 1 - May 31 Summer Crisis: June 1 - September 30 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVMissouri in numbers
- Missouri ranks 24th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($37), 18th on households below the poverty line (12.9%) and 19th on low-income energy burden (9.8%).
- Per household below the poverty line (320,580 of them) the FY26 funds come to $288, rank 27th of 51: 17% of a typical year's electricity ($1,720). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 131,638 households got help in FY2022 against 672,278 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 20% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $445, 26% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - May 31. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, summer crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $25 (Tennessee) to $45 (Nebraska); low-income burden from 8.9% (Illinois) to 11.5% (Oklahoma). Missouri: $37 and 9.8%.
Where Missouri's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Sullivan County 17.6% (663 households); Douglas County 16.1% (2,077 households); Barton County 15.6% (2,064 households); Ralls County 14.7% (1,214 households).
- Most low-income households: St. Louis County 85,485 (9.7%); Jackson County 82,527 (9.9%); St. Louis city 49,429 (12.2%).
114 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Missouri?
Missouri sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $68,920.
How heavy is the energy bill in Missouri?
9.8% of income in low-income households, 2.6% overall. Ranking, Missouri prices.
| Group | Count | Missouri detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 672,278 households | 9.8% of income; $1,947 a year on $19,950 | rank 19 of 51 |
| All households | 2,458,324 households | 2.6%; $2,244 on $85,368 | rank 24 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 320,580 households | 12.9% of 2,484,834 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 18 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 13.49 ¢/kWh | bill $143 a month at 1,063 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Missouri
- Ameren Missouri Keeping Current Eligible customers (up to 135% of poverty) will receive credits on their bills during the heating and/or cooling season if they remain current with payments. Selected energy-assistance organizations that...
- Liberty Utilities Empire District Electric Company Empire's Action to Support the Elderly (EASE) Provides late fee and deposit waivers for elderly (age 60 and older) and handicapped customers.
- Independence Power & Light Department Independence Rate Assistance Program (IRAP) Qualified elderly, 60 years or older, or disabled customers pay 50% of the electric charges on their bill. Contact the Community Services League. 816-254-4100
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Ameren, Boone County, City Utilities, Co-Mo Electric Coop, Crawford Electric Coop, Cuivre River Electric Coop and 13 more.
Missouri on the map
Next to Missouri
Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee. Most FY26 funds per household: Nebraska, $45. Missouri: $37. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Missouri
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Missouri Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call the state LIHEAP office or 211.
- Ask about dates and temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Missouri Public Service Commission, 800-392-4211.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How much LIHEAP money does Missouri get?
$92.4 million in FY2026, $37 per household, rank 24 of 51.
What income limit does Missouri use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $68,920; FY2022 heating standard 200% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Missouri?
Site: https://mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap
Can Missouri utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates and temperature for cold; temperature for heat. November 1 - March 31 32°F and below
How big is the energy burden in Missouri?
9.8% of income for low-income households, 2.6% for all; $1,947 a year for the first group.
How many Missouri households got energy help?
131,638 in FY2022, 114,219 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $445.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Missouri bill?
$288 per poor household, 17% of $1,720.