Minnesota Energy Assistance Program

Quick Facts

• Administering agency: Minnesota Department of Commerce, Energy Division, partnering with 30 local service providers statewide.
• Funding: Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) dollars with supplemental state appropriations and utility contributions.
• Benefit structure: Grants applied directly to heating and electric accounts; crisis funds available for shutoff prevention, furnace repair, and fuel deliveries.
• Application cycle: September 1 through May 31, with emergency processing beyond May for households facing disconnection.
• Average award: $1,200 with maximum benefits up to $3,200 for high-burden households; crisis grants can exceed $1,000 per event.
• Additional services: Energy audits, weatherization referrals, water bill assistance in select communities, and advocacy with utility companies.

Program Overview

The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) keeps homes warm during brutal winters by helping households pay heating and electricity bills. Administered through local community action agencies, EAP assigns grants based on household size, income, and energy costs. Funds go directly to utility vendors, ensuring stability and preventing shutoffs. For families relying on delivered fuels like propane or heating oil, EAP issues vendor payments when tanks run low, safeguarding against dangerous outages.

In 2025 Minnesota expanded EAP by increasing income eligibility to 60% of state median income, allowing more working families to qualify. The program now integrates with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and utility Conservation Improvement Programs (CIP), creating a seamless pipeline from bill relief to long-term efficiency upgrades. Applicants automatically receive referrals to weatherization when energy usage is high, ensuring future bills stay manageable.

Why EAP Matters in 2025

Minnesota winters routinely produce subzero temperatures, and heating costs surged due to natural gas market volatility. Without assistance, households risk disconnection, frozen pipes, and health emergencies. EAP stabilizes budgets, reducing the need to choose between heating and essentials like food or medicine. The program also addresses inequities: tribal communities, rural residents, and urban renters receive targeted outreach and culturally specific services. New partnerships with tribal governments and immigrant-led nonprofits ensure households receive navigation help in their primary language.

Eligibility Breakdown

1. Income: Annual gross income at or below 60% of state median income (SMI). For 2025, that’s about $73,280 for a family of four. Income is calculated over the last three months or full year, whichever benefits the household.
2. Energy responsibility: You must pay directly for heating or electric costs, either as the primary account holder or with proof of landlord pass-through charges.
3. Residency: Applicants must live in Minnesota. Proof includes a driver’s license, lease, or utility bill. Seasonal residents are ineligible.
4. Citizenship: No citizenship requirement; households with mixed immigration statuses can apply. Social Security numbers help verify income but are not mandatory.
5. Priority groups: Households with seniors (60+), children under six, veterans, or individuals with disabilities receive priority processing. Crisis situations like shutoff notices or fuel outages also move to the front of the queue.

Application Roadmap

1. Find your local EAP provider: Use the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance map or call 1-800-657-3710. Each county or tribe has a designated provider.
2. Gather documents: Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit statements, tax returns), utility account numbers, recent bills, photo IDs, and proof of housing costs.
3. Complete the application: Download the form from the Commerce website, request a paper copy, or apply online through participating providers. Applications are available in multiple languages.
4. Submit and track: Mail, drop off, or upload the application depending on your provider’s process. Keep copies and note the submission date. Providers typically respond within 30 days.
5. Respond to follow-up: Providers may request additional documents or signatures. Respond within five business days to avoid delays.
6. Receive determination: Approval letters outline grant amounts, vendors paid, and crisis eligibility. Payments usually post within two weeks for major utilities; delivered fuel vendors receive payments when they send invoices.

Maximizing Your Benefit

• Apply early: Funding is first-come-first-served. Submitting in September or October ensures assistance before peak winter bills.
• Leverage crisis funds: If you receive a disconnection notice or your fuel tank drops below 30%, contact your provider immediately. Crisis funds can be issued within 24–48 hours.
• Enroll in budget billing: After EAP pays down balances, ask your utility about budget plans to spread costs evenly throughout the year.
• Combine with Weatherization: Eligible households receive insulation, air sealing, furnace tune-ups, and appliance upgrades. Weatherization can reduce bills by 20–30% long-term.
• Tap water assistance: Some providers administer Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) funds. Ask if water/sewer bills can be covered.
• Use energy coaching: Providers offer tips on thermostat settings, LED lighting, and appliance usage. Small changes multiply savings when combined with EAP grants.

Special Populations

• Tribal members: Tribal governments like Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth administer EAP with culturally specific outreach. They can coordinate propane deliveries, wood fuel support, and powwow announcements to spread awareness.
• Renters: If heat is included in rent, submit landlord verification showing heating costs. EAP pays the landlord or adjusts tenant rent credits. Renters should also explore Minnesota’s RentHelp utilities assistance.
• Manufactured home residents: EAP covers propane, natural gas, or electricity for manufactured homes. Weatherization can add skirting insulation and heat tape to prevent frozen pipes.
• Immigrant communities: Community organizations such as CLUES and CAPI USA provide translation, application assistance, and advocacy with utilities. No Social Security number is required, easing access for mixed-status households.
• Seniors: Senior LinkAge Line counselors help older adults apply, coordinate medical necessity letters, and connect to Medicare Savings Programs to free up income for utilities.

Crisis Scenarios and Responses

1. Electric shutoff notice: Contact your provider with the notice. EAP staff negotiate with the utility, arrange a promise-to-pay, and issue crisis funds to stop disconnection.
2. Empty propane tank: Call your vendor and EAP provider. Crisis funds authorize delivery, even if you owe a balance. Keep tank above 30% to avoid emergency fees.
3. Broken furnace: EAP coordinates with the Energy Emergency Contractor Network to repair or replace furnaces. Technicians respond within 24 hours during cold weather.
4. Fire or natural disaster: EAP can reissue payments for new addresses and coordinate with disaster relief agencies to restore service quickly.

Staying Eligible

• Reapply annually: Submit new applications each fall. Set calendar reminders for September.
• Report changes: Notify your provider if you move, change utilities, or experience income shifts. Accurate records prevent overpayments.
• Maintain communication: Answer calls and mail from your provider. Unresponsive applicants may be denied.
• Document energy usage: Keep copies of bills to track trends. Share high-usage months with energy coaches to identify efficiency upgrades.

Additional Resources

• Cold Weather Rule: Minnesota utilities must offer payment plans from October 1 to April 30. EAP providers help negotiate manageable terms.
• Utility forgiveness programs: Xcel Energy, CenterPoint, and Minnesota Power offer arrearage forgiveness. Enrollment often requires EAP participation.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Qualifying for EAP may also qualify you for SNAP expedited processing. SNAP recipients receive higher EAP benefits due to household vulnerability.
• Minnesota Housing Finance Agency: Offers Energy Assistance Hardship Loans for homeowners needing major system replacements beyond EAP coverage.
• Energy Smart resources: Online tools to compare home energy usage, plan efficiency upgrades, and access rebates.

Timeline Checklist

Final Thoughts

The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program is a lifeline during harsh winters, transforming energy affordability from a constant worry into a manageable expense. By applying early, staying in close contact with your local provider, and taking advantage of crisis funds, weatherization, and utility programs, you can keep your home safe and comfortable year-round. Treat EAP as part of a broader energy strategy—budget, conserve, and upgrade when possible. The result is lower bills, fewer emergencies, and a healthier home environment for your family.