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Help with bills

Energy Assistance Program

Help with utility bills

Minnesotans may find themselves having to choose between paying their energy bill and other necessities — food, medicine and healthcare.

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program helps pay for heat, electricity, and past due water/waterwater costs for income-qualified households. EAP can also arrange to repair or replace homeowners' broken heating systems.

Other big changes in the Energy Assistance Program since 2020 include:

  1. Income eligibility is based on the last three months (not a whole year).

  2. Up to $2,000 per household for heat and electric bills.

  3. EAP can help households pay a past due bill, even without a shut-off notice.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP) facts

  • It’s free!
  • The average grant is $500.
  • Local Energy Assistance Partners can help with your application.
  • Grants are based on household size, income, and utility costs.
  • Up to $2,000 per household – for heat and power bills. See EAP income guidelines.
  • May also pay off your past due water/wastewater bill.
  • Available for electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil or biofuel. 
  • Grants are paid directly to your account at your energy company — EAP does it for you.
  • Renters and homeowners are eligible.
  • Emergency fuel delivery, and repairs or replacement of homeowners’ broken heating systems can be arranged.

Are you eligible?

Household Size Past 3 months maximum income
1 $7,643
2 $9,994
3 $12,346
4 $14,698
5 $17,050
6

$19,401

 

See more household sizes

How to apply for the Energy Assistance Program

EAP service providers include Community Action Programs, counties, tribal governments, and non-profits serve all areas of Minnesota. Residents need to contact their local EAP service provider to apply.

Find your provider in one of two ways:

  1. Call 1-800-657-3710 and enter zip code
  2. Browse online list of service providers by county or tribe

The Energy Assistance Program is funded by the U.S. Health and Human Services department and administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. 

MN state department logo

The Energy Assistance Program helps pay for home heating costs, water, and furnace repairs for income-qualified households.

Learn more

Utility Programs

Investor-owned utilities in Minnesota also provide support for low-income residents and those with special medical needs.

If your utility is not listed, we still recommend reaching out to them to ask about how they can help.

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