Funds Available For Energy Assistance Program

SAINT PAUL – Minnesota has received an additional $14,739,042 in federal funds for the state’s Energy Assistance Program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay their heating bills. Minnesota households still have time, through May 31, to apply for assistance.

“The heating season is coming to an end, but there are still many Minnesotans who need help to pay current and past-due heating bills,” said Commerce Commissioner Jessica Looman. “We urge all Minnesotans who may qualify to apply for energy assistance.”

The Energy Assistance Program is administered by the Minnesota Commerce Department in partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. With the additional funds, Minnesota has now received a total of $116,969,082 for the 2017-2018 heating season from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Minnesotans who have difficulty paying their heating bills are encouraged to apply for energy assistance. Households with children under age six, people with disabilities, veterans and seniors are especially encouraged to apply. 

Applications are accepted until May 31, 2018. Energy assistance funds are limited and households are served on a first-come, first-served basis. The funds are paid directly to utility companies and heating fuel vendors on behalf of their customers who apply and qualify for energy assistance.

Last year the Energy Assistance Program helped more than 126,000 Minnesota households. The average annual grant per household was about $520.

Minnesota renters and homeowners earning at or below 50 percent of the state’s median income ($48,077 for a family of four) are eligible to apply for grant money to help pay their heating bills.

To apply, contact the local service provider in your county. To find your service provider, visit the Minnesota EnergyAssistance Program on the Commerce Department website (mn.gov/commerce) or call 800-657-3710.

Other forms of assistance may be available through county social service programs, community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies.

For more information on energy topics, contact the Minnesota Commerce Department’s Energy Information Center by email at energy.info@state.mn.us or by phone 651-539-1886 or 800-657-3710.

Energy assistance can help Minnesotans who struggle to pay heating bills

SAINT PAUL – The past month’s extreme cold has once again reminded Minnesotans how important it is to keep our homes heated in winter for both safety and comfort.

With plenty of winter still to come, the Minnesota Commerce Department encourages Minnesotans who depend on delivered fuels, such as propane and heating oil, to keep their fuel tanks well supplied, conserve energy and apply for energy assistance if they need help paying their heating bills.

“To ensure a warm and safe home, we urge the many Minnesotans who depend on propane or heating oil to make sure their fuel tanks are always at least one quarter full,” said Commerce Commissioner Jessica Looman. “We still have weeks of winter remaining, so it is best to plan ahead and work with your supplier to schedule deliveries to keep your supply at a safe level.”

The Commerce Department offers some basic tips for propane and fuel oil consumers:

Don’t let your tank reach empty. Call for a refill when your tank is 25-30 percent full. If your tank is empty, the supplier must do a full inspection to check pressure and leaks, which can result in an extra charge.

Consider asking your propane supplier for a budget plan to spread out your payments. A law signed by Gov. Mark Dayton after a shortage in 2014 requires most propane distributors to offer customers a budget payment plan. Distributors must also notify budget-plan customers of price or fee changes that may affect their monthly payment amount by more than 20 percent.

Know your rights. The 2014 law also established consumer protections, including transparent pricing.  Distributors are required to inform customers of current per-gallon price and additional charges, fees and discounts. There is also a prohibition on extra fees, such as adding any service, distribution, transportation or other fees to the bills of customers who enter into a contract with the distributor.

Conserve energy so you can save both fuel and money. Programmable thermostats, energy-efficient appliances and other energy-saving measures help reduce energy use. The Commerce Department website features a Home Energy Guide with tips to save on energy.

Apply for energy assistance.  If you are struggling with your heating bills, the state’s Energy Assistance Program is available to help low-income Minnesotans pay for their energy costs. An average grant per household was about $520 last year. Information about the Energy AssistanceProgram is available on the Commerce Department website or by calling (toll-free) 800-657-3710.

Cold Weather Rule Begins Oct 15

SAINT PAUL — As temperatures drop and heating bills rise, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission want Minnesotans to know about help that is available from the state’s Cold Weather Rule and Energy Assistance Program.

The Cold Weather Rule protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months. The Energy Assistance Program helps eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters pay for home heating costs.

“The Cold Weather Rule and our Energy Assistance Program are here to help Minnesota families who struggle with home heating costs to get through our cold winters,” said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, whose agency includes the state energy office. “We want to make sure Minnesotans are safe and warm in their homes this winter.”

“The Cold Weather Rule is a safeguard for the most vulnerable Minnesotans during our challenging winters,” said Public Utilities Commission Chair Nancy Lange. “It ensures that households in need are safe, warm and healthy. By working out a payment plan with their utility, Minnesota families with financial challenges can still keep their heat on.”

Cold Weather Rule

The Cold Weather Rule takes effect on October 15 and continues through April 15. To prevent heating disconnection under the rule, customers must first contact their utility to establish and maintain a monthly payment plan. All electric and natural gas companies are required to offer this protection.

Under the rule, utility customers who have a combined household income at or below 50 percent of the state median income ($48,077 for a family of four) are not required to pay more than 10 percent of their household income toward current and past heating bills. Others are also eligible to arrange a Cold Weather Rule payment plan.

Minnesotans who need to re-connect their service for the winter should contact their utility now to take advantage of the payment options.

The Cold Weather Rule does not apply to delivered fuels such as fuel oil, propane or wood. But Minnesotans who use these fuels are encouraged to contact the companies serving them to discuss payment options if they are concerned about their ability to pay this winter. For example, a state law requires that propane distributors offer all customers a budget plan.

The Cold Weather Rule is administered by the Public Utilities Commission. More information is available at theCommission website or by calling 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782.

Energy Assistance Program

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program helps homeowners and renters earning at or below 50 percent of the state’s median income ($48,077 for a family of four) pay their heating bills. The average annual payment per household last year was about $520. Households with seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and children are especially encouraged to apply.

Minnesotans who use delivered fuels to heat their homes are eligible for Energy Assistance Program grants even though they are not covered by the Cold Weather Rule.

Applications were recently sent to Minnesotans who qualified for energy assistance last year. Others who may qualify are encouraged to apply by contacting the local service provider in their county by calling 800-657-3710. Information is also available at theCommerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.

The Minnesota Commerce Department administers the program in partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. It is federally funded through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Commerce Department also administers theWeatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs for needy households that meet income eligibility guidelines. Both homeowners and renters may apply for weatherization assistance.

Other forms of assistance may be available to Minnesotans through county social service programs, community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies.