Financial Assistance
There is help for members unable to pay their electricity bills. In addition to protection from the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule, Dakota Electric works with members to set up a payment plan and assistance agencies are available to help provide funds for past due bills for qualifying members.
A reminder that Dakota Electric will never call you and ask you for your credit card number. Contact the authorities if you receive a call from someone saying they are calling from Dakota Electric about a past-due balance and you must provide your credit card number in order to avoid disconnection.
Prevent Disconnection
If you are behind on paying your electric bill, you can take the following steps to prevent disconnection:
- Call Dakota Electric at 651-463-6212 to set up payment arrangement.
- It is important that you keep your payment arrangements to avoid disconnection. If you don't think you can make a scheduled payment, contact us BEFORE the payment is due.
- Contact the fuel assistance agency for the county you live in. Contact information for local assistance agencies are listed below.
- If you have used all of your fuel assistance funds, contact the agency again for emergency assistance.
Cold Weather Rule
Created by the State of Minnesota to help those in need, the Cold Weather Rule protects Minnesota consumers from shut offs between Oct. 15 and April 15. Find out how to prevent disconnection during this time with our Cold Weather Rule Notification of Rights brochure.
Third Party Notice
- You can choose to have Dakota Electric notify someone else, in addition to yourself, that you are in danger of having your service disconnected.
- The third party can be a person or organization such as a friend, relative, church or community agency.
- The designated third party can contact Dakota Electric to make payment schedules for you.
- The third party is not responsible for payment.
- This Third Party Notice is especially helpful to those who are ill, elderly or live alone.
Third Party designation form
Minneosta Low Income Assistance
The Minnesota Office of Energy Security has energy assistance programs and resources available for members struggling to pay their utility bills. Visit the Minnesota Office of Energy Security Web site
Assistance Agencies
The following agencies can help members who are struggling with paying their utility bills.
360 Communities (formerly Community Action Council)
501 East Highway 13, Suite 102
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-985-5300
Dakota County Employment & Economic Assistance
1 Mendota Road W., Suite 100
West St. Paul, MN 55118-4765
651-554-5611
Goodhue Co. Dept. of Public Welfare
426 West Ave.
Red Wing, MN 55066
651-385-3200
Three Rivers Community Action, Inc.
1414 North Star Dr.
Zumbrota, MN 55992
507-732-7391
Rice County Social Services
P.O. Box 718
Faribault, MN 55021
507-332-6115
Scott County Human Services
752 Canterbury Rd. S.
Shakopee, MN 55379-1220
952-496-8686
Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency
2496 145th St. W.
Rosemount, MN 55068
651-322-3500