Find assistance and help with utility and heating bills in Minnesota

Minnesota Energy Assistance Program
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) will help with paying utility bills and home heating bills. Households that have the lowest incomes and that also have the highest energy costs receive the greatest benefit.

• The Program is federally funded through U.S. Department of Human Services
• The size of the assistance provided is based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage
• Households with the highest fuel costs and the lowest income receive the most aid
• Funds are available for both renters or homeowners

Services provided include:

• Direct payment to the utility and energy supplier
• Educate and advise consumers how to use home heating energy efficiently and safely
• Crisis help is available for help with paying for utility disconnections or necessary fuel deliveries
• Emergency heating system replacement or repair

Minnesota Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) uses energy saving as well as conservation methods to lower the cost of home utility and heating bills by an estimated percent.

 

 

• All renters and homeowners who are eligible for the EAP assistance program are eligible for WAP.
• Priority is given to households with at least one disabled or elderly member and also to customers with the highest heating bills
• The help program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Energy.

Services available include:

• Participant education
• Free energy audits to review and evaluate home's energy usage
• Exterior attic and wall insulation
• Air infiltration as well as bypass sealing
• Test, repair, and replace if needed home mechanical systems that will ensure safety and efficiency.

Energy Saving Programs
Low income families may be able to receive energy saving improvements, such as insulation, caulking, storm windows, doors, energy saving light bulbs, and other improvements.
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Council (Virginia)
Bi-County Community Action ( Bemidji )
Dakota County Community Development Agency
Inter-County Community Action Council (Oklee)
Kooch-Itasca Action Council ( Grand Rapids )
Lakes & Pines CAA (Mora)
Mahube Community Council ( Detroit Lakes )
Northwest Community Action Agency (Badger)
Ottertail-Wadena CAC ( New York Mills)
Minnesota Valley Action Council ( Mankato )
Prairie Five Community Action Council ( Montevideo )
SEMCAC (Rushford)
Scott Carver Dakota CAP (Shakopee)
Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council ( Worthington )
Three Rivers Community Action (Zumbrota)
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council (Crookston)
Western Community Action ( Marshall )

 

 

Grants from LIHEAP
Low income families in Minnesota can receive financial assistance, cash grants, and other aid from the low income home energy assistance program. Most of the funds go to seniors, the disabled, and families with children. Cash grants are also focused on paying heating and utility bills during the cold winter months. Click here for more on Minnesota LIHEAP.

Alliant Energy - This Minnesota based energy provider provides assistance to customers such as the disabled, seniors, and people facing a crisis. The Hometown Care Energy Fund is for exceptional circumstances only, and the assistance for paying utility bills is very limited. More information.

Anoka Municipal (AMU) offers a “Round up for Change” service. Donations allow the company to provide assistance for gas, electric, heating, propane, and other utility bills. It is only for low income customers of the Anoka Minnesota Municipal Utility company. More on AMU Round up for Change assistance program

Benco Electric Cooperative Caring Members - The program provides assistance for heating and utility bills using donations. The funds are focused on the elderly as well as disabled in the service territory. Anyone can donate to the Minnesota program. Learn more.

CenterPoint Energy - Gas Affordability Program will provide a credit on heating and utility bills, and there is also a component that will help families catch up on old, unpaid utility bills. More.

HeatShare - This assistance program will assist with paying heating bills, no matter what the fuel source is. In addition, it can assist with emergency home repairs, such as furnace or hot water heaters. Read more HeatShare utility assistance.

Great Plains Natural Gas - A weatherization program is offered to Minnesota families.

Xcel Energy - Low income families may receive a 50% discount on their utility bills. Learn more.

Otter Tail Power Company - The House Therapy Program is a utility bill assistance program that will provide a free energy audit and also ways to save on energy bills through improvements. There is also HeatShare available. Read more.

Reach Out for Warmth (ROFW) - Provides furnace repairs and replacement, and also assist with emergency energy bill crisis and proving cash assistance. More on Minnesota Reach Out for Warmth.

 

 

Agralite Electric Cooperative, Benco Electric Cooperative, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative, Minnesota Valley Cooperative, Light and Power Association, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
All of these companies offer Operation Round Up, which is a program that will assist Minnesota families with energy bills, and other emergency aid.