MINNESOTA RECEIVES $105 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program received over $105 million in federal funding to help low-income Minnesotans pay their heating bills this winter. The funds from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are used to reduce home heating costs by making grant payments directly to utility companies and heating fuel vendors on behalf of eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters. The Minnesota Department of Commerce administers the Energy Assistance Program in partnership with 29 local service providers throughout the state.

It is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Energy assistance is available for homeowners and renters who earn less than 50 percent of the state’s median income ($52,014 for a family of four).

Last year the program served nearly 126,000 Minnesota households (with approximately 315,000 household members), with an average grant of approximately $545.

Some households also received help to address no-heat crisis situations or repair broken heating systems. Local service providers have already received and reviewed thousands of energy assistance applications, and payments for many who qualify have already started.

There is still plenty of time for new applicants and those who qualified last year to reapply, but funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2020, or until funds run out.

Qualifying households must apply for assistance with the local service provider in their area. For more information about the program and to contact their local service provider, Minnesotans can call 800-657-3710 or visit the Energy Assistance Program section of the Department of Commerce website.