TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is announcing the annual installment of the Kansas Cold Weather Rule. The KCC's Cold Weather Rule is meant to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter. The rule becomes active on Nov. 1 and lasts until March 31 next year. Utility companies can't disconnect a customer's service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the next two days while the rule is active. The rule also requires utility companies to offer a one year payment plan to allow consumers to maintain or re-establish service over the course of 12 months. Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements although it is still the customer's responsibility to contact their gas or electric company to make those arrangements. The KCC said payment plan terms to maintain or restore service require customers agree to pay both one twelfth of the total amount owed and the current bill, along with the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fee on top of any applicable deposit to the utility. The remaining balance must be paid in equal amounts over the next 11 months in addition to the current monthly bill. Residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction can make use of the Cold Weather Rule. However, some municipal utilities and cooperatives have similar winter weather policies. Walter Menninger shares memories of Dr. Roy Menninger with 27 News People can learn more about the rule by clicking here. You can also contact your local utility company or the KCC's Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf