💡 Power, gas, or water shutoff

Got a shutoff notice? Call your utility first and ask for a payment arrangement — they'd rather make a plan than disconnect you. Then call 211 for bill help.

¿No habla inglés? Llame al 211 — intérpretes gratis en su idioma. Free interpreters in your language (Kiswahili, မြန်မာ, دری, العربية, Tiếng Việt, Soomaali, Kreyòl, नेपाली…) — call 211.

Which side of the state line do you live on?

1. Stop the shutoff

  1. Call your utility and say you want a payment arrangement. Have your account number ready. Ask them to note your account so the disconnection pauses.
  2. If someone in the home is on medical equipment or seriously ill, say so — utilities have medical holds (Spire's pauses disconnection 30 days with a doctor's note).
  3. Then line up bill help below — an arrangement plus a pledge from an assistance program is the usual save.
Evergy (electric)

Payment plans + hardship credit up to $65/month for 12 months ("Economic Relief Pilot"). The odd part: you apply through the Salvation Army, not Evergy: 816-756-5392, option 1.

evergy.com → financial help

Checked online · June 10, 2026
Spire (gas)

DollarHelp grants up to $1,000/year — apply through your local Community Action Agency (211 connects you). Payment Partner plan matches what you pay toward old debt. Medical hold available with a doctor's note.

spireenergy.com/assistance

Checked online · June 10, 2026
KC Water

Call 311 (816-513-1313, option 1) for a payment arrangement. Hardship dollars flow through Mid America Assistance Coalition member agencies — 211 routes you.

kcwater.us → financial assistance

Checked online · June 10, 2026

2. Money for the bill

🟢 OPEN NOW: Missouri summer cooling help (ECIP)

Missouri's summer crisis program runs June 1 – September 30 — up to $300 toward electric, if you have a shutoff notice, are already disconnected, or prepaid power is about to run out. It can even help buy a window AC unit. Income limit applies.

Apply online at mydss.mo.gov or through your Community Action Agency · state line 855-373-4636

Checked online · June 10, 2026
Missouri energy help (LIHEAP)

The summer cooling program (ECIP) is closed — it runs June 1 – September 30. Heating help runs through the cold months. Either way, start at mydss.mo.gov or call the state line: 855-373-4636

Checked online · June 10, 2026
🟢 OPEN NOW: Kansas energy help (LIEAP)

Kansas LIEAP is taking applications — but only through March 31, and it does not reopen until late January. Apply today, not next week: dcf.ks.gov.

Checked online · June 10, 2026
⚠️ Kansas: the state energy program is CLOSED for the year

Kansas LIEAP only takes applications late January through March 31 — and there is no Kansas summer program. Don't waste a day looking for it. Instead: utility payment plans (above), Salvation Army / Catholic Charities / Cross-Lines emergency funds via 211, and the state's own list of northeast-Kansas alternatives: kcc.ks.gov → assistance programs.

Checked online · June 10, 2026
Metro Lutheran Ministry — utility help

⏰ Applications open at 9:00 AM on the 15th of each month and funds run out fast. Set an alarm.

mlmkc.org

Checked online · June 10, 2026

3. Know your rights (worth saying on the phone)

🟢 Missouri Cold Weather Rule is ACTIVE right now: utilities can't shut off heat when the forecast is below 32°F. If they try on a freezing day, say "Cold Weather Rule" — and if they won't stop, call the Missouri PSC: 1-800-392-4211.
Missouri Cold Weather Rule: utilities can't shut off heat when the forecast is below 32°F (Nov 1 – Mar 31), and new state rules also block shutoffs during extreme heat. If you're being disconnected on a freezing or dangerously hot day, say "Cold Weather Rule" and call the Missouri PSC if they won't stop: 1-800-392-4211.
🟢 Kansas Cold Weather Rule is ACTIVE right now: shutoffs are blocked when the forecast is below 35°F, and you can spread winter bills over 12 months. Details: kcc.ks.gov.
Kansas Cold Weather Rule: shutoffs are blocked when the forecast is below 35°F (Nov 1 – Mar 31), and you can spread winter bills over 12 months. Details: kcc.ks.gov.