(MSC News)--Two important dates, as the Kansas Corporation Commission calls them, are fast approaching, with state utility customers alerted to possible affects.

The first, KCC says in a release, is Friday, March 29, the deadline to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIEAP. All applications for that assistance must be received by the Kansas DCF office by 5 p.m. on Friday.

The second date is Sunday, March 31, which is when the Cold Weather Rule ends. That rule protects residential customers, served by KCC regulated utilities, from disconnection when temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees.

When the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, regulated utilities are also required to offer a 12-month payment plan upon request, even if a previous payment plan has been broken. When that protection ends on Sunday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances be paid in full, depending on the utility's policy.