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Utilities and phone
Energy Assistance Program (EAP) (LIHEAP) in Minnesota
Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program helps pay heating bills, with crisis help if you have a disconnection notice or an energy emergency.
The Department of Commerce runs it through local service providers, and households that got help last year are mailed an application, with fixed-income households such as many older adults sent theirs first.
How to apply in Minnesota
- In person
- Apply through the local energy assistance service provider for your county. The Department of Commerce keeps a service provider list on its Energy Assistance Program website.
- Who runs it
- Minnesota Department of Commerce, Energy Assistance Program
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Minnesota
| Income limit (FY 2026; dollar amounts not confirmed) | 50% of state median income |
|---|
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)
What you may get
| Heating benefit (FY 2026 state plan; 2026–27 amounts not found) | $200 to $1,400 |
|---|---|
| Crisis help, maximum (FY 2026 state plan) | Up to $600 in winter. To get it, send your provider a bill or disconnection notice, or tell them about the energy emergency. |
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Heating help (FY 2026 dates; 2026–27 dates not confirmed) | Oct. 1 to May 31 |
|---|---|
| Crisis help (FY 2026 dates) | Oct. 1 to July 1 |
| Older adults (FY 2026 state plan) | No separate early sign-up. Households are served first come, first served unless they have an energy emergency. Applications are mailed to last year's households, fixed-income households first. |
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2)
How Minnesota is different
Where Minnesota's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- Income limit is 50% of state median income, lower than the 60% federal maximum
- Last year's households get an application in the mail, with fixed-income households mailed first
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2)
Good to know
- Once you're approved for energy assistance, you may also qualify for utility discount programs, such as Xcel Energy's POWER On and Gas Affordability programs or Minnesota Power's CARE discount. Wait for your award letter before applying to them.
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Minnesota
Minnesota Aging Pathways
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Minnesota
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Minnesota state profile (last updated April 20, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Minnesota LIHEAP Plan, FY 2026 (copy posted by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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