Reach Out For Warmth assistance program

Over 40 agencies and non-profits participate in the state of Minnesota Reach Out for Warmth program. The program can provide people in need of help with various services, including emergency energy and heating bill assistance as well as furnace repair. The Reach Out for Warmth (ROFW) is a community based emergency fuel fund established to assist households over income for the Energy Assistance program. The Reach Out for Warmth financial assistance program is a community based emergency fuel fund that was established to assist households whose income is currently over the levels needed for the Energy Assistance program.

Criteria to apply for Reach Out for Warmth assistance

There are several conditions that need to be met in order to receive assistance. They include the customer must have an overdue utility, heating, electric or gas bill. They need to have also received some type of shutoff notice. The customer can also get help if they are about to run out of fuel or heating oil. If the household has defective or broken heating equipment then this may qualify them for assistance too. Note there are several exceptions to these criteria as well. For example, if the household has one household member age 60 or older, and do not have the ability to pay their bill, they may qualify for assistance.

Financial assistance provided

The Minnesota Reach Out for Warmth assistance program is really a crisis program. Benefits from ROFW include crisis payments and emergency assistance for the customers primary fuel, utility or electricity bills. Specifically, qualified customers can receive up to $500 for households that are currently paying their own heating bills. If your utility bills are included in your rent, then you may be able to receive up to $150 in financial assistance. In certain cases renters may be capped at $100 in aid.

In addition, the Reach Out for Warmth (ROFW) assistance program can help low income and qualified customers repair their heating systems that are faulty, inoperable or do not work. The maximum ROFW ERR benefit to repair or replace equipment is $500. All financial assistance is made directly to your utility company or repair company.

State of Minnesota, local, and federal government funds all contribute to the ROFW program. The State’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) as well as LIHEAP are major contributors to the program.

The Reach Out for Warmth utility and heating bill assistance program is funded from corporate and individual donations. Dial 1-800-657-3710.