Minnesota LIHEAP energy bill assistance program.

Low income families that that pay a high percentage of their income for their utility bills may qualify for the LIHEAP program, or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance. Grants and cash assistance is available for qualified families. Most of the funds are used to pay heating bills or utilities during the winter. LIHEAP is paid for by the federal government, and most of the aid is distributed for people with the lowest income levels. In the state of Minnesota utility assistance is administered by community action agencies across Minnesota. So you need to call or stop by a local office in order to learn more, or to apply. There are two main parts of the program, including crisis and regular.

LIHEAP crisis is the emergency component, and it will assist people who are faced with a disconnection, who are out of fuel or oil, or who have a utility shut off notice. The Winter ECIP normally starts October 1st for the elderly & disabled. Others can Minnesota can normally start applying November 1st. The crisis component will process applications and disburse funds much quicker than other options.

Regular energy bill assistance is paid out in the form of a one-time-cash grant. The LIHEAP program will make one cash payment to utility or gas companies on behalf of the client. The funds are used to pay mostly winter heating bills, and to help offset the cost of them. Applications normally are taken following the same date range above. Applicants will need to prove that they are low income and that they are in fact fully responsible for paying their utility bills.

The amount of cash benefits paid out will vary and are set by numerous conditions. Funds are paid out on a first come-first serve basis, and the federal government and state of Minnesota set overall funding levels.

The cash grant will be limited to the amount necessary to assist with paying your bills and to relieve any emergency or crisis. Sometimes the benefits offered to low income families in Minnesota will vary as well. For example, cash grants and benefits may be paid out in the form of service reconnection, fuel deliveries, heating oil, blankets, and even emergency shelter. While the application process for regular assistance may take longer, crisis relief will be provided very quickly, and sometimes can be done within 48 hours.

 

 

 

 

If you apply and are found to be eligible, and if the Minnesota program has funding, a payment will be sent directly to your utility/fuel dealer. That company will then credit your account. So a check is not mailed directly to the applicant. Also, the exact amount of any utility bill assistance will depend on the size of your household, type of fuel, and your total household income.

Anoka County Community Action Program, Inc., 1201 89th Ave. N.E., Suite 345, Blaine, MN 55434, (763) 783-4747

Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Inc., 702 3rd Avenue South, Virginia, MN 55792-2797, (218) 749-2912. LIHEAP is offered in the Minnesota Counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis.

Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc., 2715 15th Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56619-0579, (218) 751-4631. If you live in Beltrami or Cass County, call this agency.

Community Action Duluth, Duluth, MN 55806, (218) 726-1665

Community Action of Minneapolis, 505 East Grant Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612) 348-8858

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties, 450 Syndicate Street N., Suite 35,
St. Paul, MN 55104, (651) 645-6445

Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin, Inc., 8800 Highway 7, Suite 401, St. Louis Park, MN 55426, (952) 933-9639

Heartland Community Action Agency, Inc., 200 SW 4th St., Willmar, MN 56201, (320) 235-0850. Services are provided in Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, and Renville County.

Inter-County Community Council, Inc., 207 Main Street, Oklee, MN 56742, (218) 796-5144. Counties are Clearwater, Pennington, Polk, and Red Lake.

KOOTASCA Community Action, Inc., 1213 SE 2nd Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-3984, (218) 327-6701. Supports LIHEAP in Itasca and Koochiching.

Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership, Inc., 715 11th St. N # 402, Moorhead, MN 56560-2088, (218) 299-7000. LIHEAP is offered for families in Barnes, Becker, Cass, Clay, Dickey, Douglas, Foster, Griggs, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Otter Tail, Pope, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stevens, Stutsman, Traill, Traverse, Wells, and Wilkin.

Lakes and Pines Community Action Council, Inc., 1700 Maple Avenue East, Mora, MN 55051-1227, (320) 679-1800. County - Aitkin, Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine

Lower Sioux Indian Community, 39458 Res. Highway 1, Morton, MN 56270, (507) 697-6185

Counties of Becker, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Oter, Tail, Wadena should call Mahube Community Council, Inc., 1125 West River Road, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502-0747, (218) 847-1385 for information on the low income energy program.

Minnesota Valley Action Council, Inc., 464 Raintree Road, Mankato, MN 56001, (507) 345-6822. Counties supported - Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan

Northwest Community Action, Inc., Badger, MN 56714, (218) 528-3258. Counties are Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, and Roseau.

Olmsted Community Action Program, 2117 Campus Dr. Suite 200, Rochester, MN 55904, phone (507) 328-6333

Prairie Five CAC, Inc., 7th St. & Washington Ave., Ste. 302, Montevideo, MN 56265-0159, dial (320) 269-6578. Families supported by this agency live in Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, and Yellow Medicine.

Prairie Island Community Council, 5636 Sturgeon Lake Rd, Welch, MN 55089, (651) 267-4062

Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency, Inc., 712 Canterbury Road, South, Shakopee, MN 55379, (952) 496-2126

 

 

Semcac, 204 South Elm, Rushford, MN 55971-0549, Main telephone:(507) 864-774. Counties served LIHEAP are Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Steele, Winona. Additional, programs in Goodhue, Olmsted, Rice, and Wabasha

Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock county residents should call Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council, Inc., 1106 3rd Avenue, Worthington, MN 56187, (507) 376-4195.

Three Rivers Community Action, Inc., 1414 North Star Drive, Zumbrota, MN 55992, (507) 732-7391. Counties - Goohue, Rice, Wabasha

Tri-County Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP), 1210 23rd Avenue South, Waite Park, MN 56387, (320) 251-1612. Benton, Stearns, and Sherburne County.

Tri-County Community Action Program, Inc., 501 LeMieur St., Little Falls, MN 56345, (320) 632-3691. Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd County.

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Inc., 102 N. Broadway, P.O. Box 607, Crookston, MN 56716, (218) 281-5832. Counties are Marshall, Norman, Polk

West Central Minnesota Communities Action Inc., 411 Industrial Park Blvd., Elbow Lake, MN 56531, (218) 685-4486. Helps residents of Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse. Limited services in: Clay, Becker, Otter Tail, Wilkin.

Western Community Action, Inc., 1400 South Saratoga Street, Marshall, MN 56258, (507) 537-1416. Counties are Cottonwood, Jackson, Lyon, Lincoln, and Redwood.

Wright County Community Action, 130 West Division Street, Maple Lake, MN 55358, (320) 963-6500