Minnesota

Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable

Federal

LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-657-3710
Website

LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Service Provider list

Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts Website

LIHEAP FY 2024 Funding
$123,652,398
*including additional $1,979,514 from Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), (Pub. L. 117-58)

LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
50% State Median Income

LIHEAP FY 2024 Benefit
Heating: $200 minimum, $1,400 maximum
Crisis: $600

LIHEAP Households Served in FY 2023
Heating: 133,000
Winter Crisis: 46,996
Weatherization: 2,757

LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: October 1 - May 31
Crisis: October 1 - July 1
Weatherization: October 1 - July 1

State

The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides funds for emergency crisis assistance to households who would otherwise be without heat.

Utility

Search By Utility Agralite Electric Coop Alliant Energy Benco Electric Coop CenterPoint/Minnegasco Great Plains Natural Gas Kandiyohi Power Coop Minnesota Energy Resources Minnesota Power Otter Tail Power Wright-Hennepin Coop Xcel Energy

Low-Income Rate Assistance

As a result of legislation passed in 1994, Minnesota requires that electric companies serving over 200,000 residential customers provide a 50 percent discount for low-income customers on the first 300 kilowatt hours consumed each month. The provision applies only to the state's largest utility, Xcel Energy. The average benefit is $108 per household. Legislation passed in 2007 requires all natural investor-owned gas utilities to provide a Gas Affordability Program which reduces natural gas utility payments from participants to no more than 6 percent of their income. Participants may also receive credits on their monthly natural gas bill. Receipt of LIHEAP is required.

CenterPoint Energy 
Gas Affordability Program
Provides a fixed monthly bill amount for the program and a monthly GAP Credit for current and past due natural gas charges. CenterPoint Energy will credit the account if the monthly payment for current and past due gas charges are greater than 6 percent of a customer's annual household income. A customer's annual natural gas charges will be averaged to provide a fixed monthly bill amount for current charges. In addition, each month a customer pays towards their past due balance, CenterPoint Energy will also apply a credit towards the past due balance.
An application is available online.
For more information, contact the Energy CENTS Coalition at 651-774-9010 (888-774-9070) or CenterPoint Energy at 612-372-4727 (800-245-2377).

Minnesota Energy Resources
Gas Affordability Program
Qualified customers can receive assistance paying their monthly natural gas utility bills through a discount based on a percent of household income and arrears forgiveness. The program is available to customers who have been qualified and receive assistance from LIHEAP. In order to be enrolled, customers must agree to be placed on a levelized payment plan and make the required payment every month to stay enrolled. Enrollment is offered on a first-come first-served basis until the state-set $1 million cap is reached.
To apply, complete the Gas Affordability Program Application and mail your completed application to:

The Salvation Army 2445 Prior Ave. Roseville, MN 55113.

To request an application, or for more information on the Gas Affordability Program call The Salvation Army at 888-733-8033.
www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/home/gas_affordability.aspx

Minnesota Power
Customer Affordability of Residential Electricity (CARE)
CARE offers LIHEAP-qualified homes a discount on monthly electric bills. Once qualified for LIHEAP, customers of Minnesota Power must complete the CARE program application.
1-800-228-4966
CustomerService@mnpower.com
https://www.mnpower.com/CustomerService/CAREProgram

Xcel Energy

• Power On and Gas Affordability Program
  Energy CENTS Coalition offers low-income households in Minnesota the opportunity to receive a discount on a portion of their monthly electric bill (through the POWER on program) and monthly gas bill (through the Gas Affordability program). To qualify for these programs you must first apply and be approved for energy assistance each heating season.
  To apply for Energy Assistance please visit Minnesota Commerce: Assistance Programs or call 1-800-657-3710 to locate the local agency serving your county.
  Please do not contact the Energy CENTS coalition to apply for the discount programs until you have received an award letter from Energy Assistance.
  For more information on the Energy CENTS coalition, please visit www.energycents.org or call 651-774-9010 or 888-774-9070.  
• Low Income Senior Discount
  Energy Assistance Program participants may be eligible for the low-income discount. The low-income discount entitles low-income residential electric/gas customers who are 62 years of age or older and/or disabled to a 50 percent discount on their monthly electric consumption up to 300 kwhs per billing period.
  1-800-895-4999

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

Energy Conservation Improvement, required by legislature of regulated utilities. A percent of a utility’s gross operating revenues from service is provided to the state.

Great Plains Natural Gas
Great Plains offers a low-income weatherization program, delivered through local community action agencies. Contact Donna Walkup, at 218-739-6602

Minnesota Energy Resources
Low-income households may be eligible for a variety of weatherization measures such as insulation, caulking, weatherstripping and storm windows and doors. Customers must meet federal poverty guidelines of 185 percent.
To enroll in the program, please contact the community action agency in your area.
www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/home/liwap.aspx

Otter Tail Power Company
House Therapy Program 
Program for customers with high bill concerns and high-energy use. Participants receive an energy analysis and, as warranted, installation of energy-saving insulation and weather-stripping. In some instances water heaters, refrigerators, and freezers may be replaced. To apply or for more information, contact the community action agency in your area:

Emergency Charitable Assistance

Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.

Reach Out for Warmth (ROFW)
Established in 1992 by the Minnesota State Legislature, the Department of Economic Security's Energy Program Unit administers this year-round emergency fuel fund through 40 local energy assistance agencies. ROFW agencies provide people in need with emergency energy assistance and furnace repair. The program is funded from corporate and individual donations.
1-800-657-3710
http://tricap.org/reach-out-for-warmth/

HeatShare
A "last resort" program funded through customer contributions from Minnesota utilities and administered by The Salvation Army. Provides money to help pay natural gas, oil, propane, wood, and electricity bills, and to help with emergency furnace repairs. The HeatShare program can pay your utility bill once you have a shut-off notice in hand.
Call the HeatShare hotline at 1-800-842-7279 for immediate help.
http://salvationarmynorth.org/programs-that-help/basic-needs/heatshare/

Agralite Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up 
Customer donations provide funds for individuals and organizations. Grants can be made to individuals who are experiencing medical or other emergencies.
Requests should be made to a board member or to Agralite Electric Cooperative.
320-843-4150 or 1-800-950-8375

Alliant Energy
Hometown Care Energy Fund
Funds collected for the Hometown Care Energy Fund are paid to community-based non-profit organizations for distribution to customers in need. Eligibility includes households that meet income guidelines established by LIHEAP, customers over age 60 and on a fixed income with no alternative source of funds, customers who are permanently or temporarily disabled, or medically disabled, and unable to be economically self-sufficient and special hardship cases not limited to income, age or eligibility. Customer wishing to learn more about energy assistance should contact their local agency at 1-866-432-8947.
www.alliantenergy.com/

Benco Electric Cooperative

• Operation Round Up 
  Customer donations provide funds for individuals and organizations. Applications are designated for either an individual or an organization in need and are available on the website.
  www.benco.org/content/operation-round
• Caring Members 
  Customer donations that assist the elderly, disabled, or family in need to pay their energy bill this winter. The Minnesota Valley Action Council administers the program.
  507-345-6822 1-800-767-7139x433

Kandiyohi Power Cooperative
Operation Roundup
Customer donations assist households facing a crisis. Applications are reviewed by an independent board. Awards address needs such as food, clothing, shelter, health care and other community services.
320-235-4155 or 1-800-551-4951
http://www.kpcoop.com/community/operation-round-up/