Minnesota Energy Assistance 

Our Minnesota customers can take advantage of a number of energy assistance programs, including:

Energy Assistance Program

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay home heating costs. Households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs receive the greatest benefit.

• Households who are at or below 50 percent of the state median income are eligible
• Size of grant is based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage
• Households with the lowest income and highest fuel costs receive the highest grants
• Federally funded through U.S. Department of Human Services
• Funds are available for renters or homeowners

POWER on Program

POWER on provides low-income households in Minnesota the opportunity to have a portion of their monthly electric bill discounted.  
For more information on the Energy Cents Coalition please visit www.energycents.org or call 651-774-9010 or 888-774-9070. 

Low Income 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% discount on their monthly electric consumption up to 300 kwhs per billing period.

Reach Out for Warmth (Fuel Fund)

This fuel fund is designed to assist low-income households and those just above income guidelines. 

• Funded from corporate and individual donations matched by Federal Funds
• Assists households who are over-income for Energy Assistance
• Provides additional help when federal funds are inadequate to meet household's needs.
• Eligibility is 60 percent of State Median Income

The Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) uses energy conservation techniques to reduce the cost of home energy by an estimated percent. Correcting health and safety hazards and potentially life-threatening conditions is the first consideration in WAP activities.

• Households who are at or below 50 percent of the state medium income are eligible
• All homeowners and renters who are income eligible for EAP are income eligible for WAP.
• Priority is given to households with at least one elderly or disabled member and to customers with the highest heating costs.
• Federally funded through the U.S. Department of Energy

For more information on these programs visit Minnesota Commerce : Assistance Programs or call 1-800-657-3710 to locate the local agency serving your county.

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule

Minnesota families in need are protected by the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule. This means that if a customer is unable to pay their energy bill during the winter months, their primary heat source will not be disconnected.
The Cold Weather Rule is in effect each year from October 15 to April 15. Customers who receive grants from the state administered Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program may be eligible for four levels of protection under the Cold Weather Rule:

For more information, please call 1-800-895-4999 or if you are already participating in the program 1-800-331-5262 to request a Cold Weather packet.