Military Personnel Law- Minnesota
The Military Personnel Disconnection Law does not totally forbid winter shutoffs. If you receive a disconnection notice this winter, you must act promptly.
Notice of Residential Customer Rights and Possible Assistance
This notice informs you of your rights and responsibilities under the Military Personnel Disconnection Law. It is designed to help you with high winter electric bills. You must act PROMPTLY. If you choose not to assert your rights or choose not to enter a mutually acceptable payment plan, your service may be disconnected.
An electric cooperative must not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer if a member of the household has been issued military orders into active duty, for deployment, or for a permanent change in duty station during the period of active duty, deployment, or change in duty station during that period when the following conditions are met:
- the household income of the customer is at or below the state median income. Income may be verified on forms provided by the cooperative or by the local energy assistance provider. A customer meets the income requirement if they receive energy assistance or other type of public assistance;
- a customer enters into and makes reasonably timely payments under a payment agreement that considers the financial resources of the household; and
- a customer receives from the cooperative referrals to energy assistance programs, weatherization, conservation, or other programs likely to reduce the customer's energy bills.
What to do if you meet the Military Law conditions
If you meet all the conditions of the Military Personnel Disconnection Law as outlined in the brochure below, can't pay your electric bill and need cold weather protection from utility shutoff, fill out the Military Personnel Disconnect Protection Form and return it to MiEnergy Cooperative immediately along with your income documentation. The following is a list of energy assistance providers serving MiEnergy Cooperative:
What to do if you don't meet the Military Law conditions:
If you do not meet all the conditions of the Military Personnel Disconnection Law as outlined in the brochure to the right, you do not qualify for winter shutoff protection. However, you still can continue to receive electric service if you call us to set up a mutually acceptable payment arrangement. Call Tri-County Electric at 1-800-432-2285 BEFORE the due date.