Minnesota
FY 2012/2013 Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-657-3710
Website
LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Provider list
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
LIHEAP FY 2013 Funding (Initial Release under the Continuing Resolution)
$105,907,012
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
50% State Median Income
LIHEAP FY 2012 Benefit
Heating: $100 minimum, $400 average, $1,200 maximum
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2012 Heating)
163,418
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: October 3 - May 31
Crisis: October 3 - June 30
State
The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides funds for emergency crisis assistance to households who would otherwise be without heat.
Utility
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.
Alliant Energy / Interstate Power
Gas Affordability Program
Available to customers who have been qualified and receive assistance from LIHEAP. Customers can receive a monthly credit on their gas bill that is no more than 6 percent of their income. A monthly credit will also be determined and applied to arrearages the customer had prior to participating in the gas affordability program.
energyassistance@alliantenergy.com
1-800-255-4268
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 applicaton is available online. Please contact CenterPoint Energy at 612-372-4727 or 1-800-245-2377 for more information.
Minnesota Energy Resources
Gas Affordability Program
Qualified customers can receive assistance paying their monthly natural gas utility bills through a discoun 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.
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.
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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
| Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Council (Virginia) | 800-662-5711 | |
| Bi-County Community Action ( Bemidji ) | 800-332-7161 | |
| Dakota County Community Development Agency | 651-675-4400 | |
| Inter-County Community Action Council (Oklee) | 218-796-5144 | |
| Kootasca Action Council ( Grand Rapids ) | 800-422-0312 | |
| Lakes & Pines CAA (Mora) | 800-832-6082 | |
| Mahube Community Council ( Detroit Lakes ) | 888-458-1385 | |
| Minnesota Valley Action Council ( Mankato ) | 800-767-7139 | |
| Northwest Community Action Agency (Badger) | 800-568-5329 | |
| Ottertail-Wadena CAC ( New York Mills) | 800-450-2900 | |
| Prairie Five Community Action Council ( Montevideo ) | 800-292-5437 | |
| SEMCAC (Rushford) | 800-944-3281 | |
| Scott Carver Dakota CAP (Shakopee) | 952-496-2125 | |
| Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council ( Worthington ) | 800-658-2444 | |
| Three Rivers Community Action (Zumbrota) | 800-277-8418 | |
| Tri-Valley Opportunity Council (Crookston) | 866-264-3729 | |
| Western Community Action ( Marshall ) | 800-658-2448 |
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:
| Bi-County Community Action Council | 218-333-9840 | |
| Tri-Valley Opportunity Council | 800-584-7020 or 218-281-5832 | |
| West Central MN Community Action | 218-685-4486 or 800-492-4805 | |
| Western Community Action | 507-537-1416 or 507-847-2632 | |
| Northwest Community Action, Inc. | 218-528-3258 or 1-800-568-5329 | |
| Prairie Five Community Action Council | 320-269-6578 or 800-292-5437 | |
| Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council, Inc. | 800-450-2900 | |
| Inter-County Community Council, Inc. | 218-796-5144 or1-888-778-4008 x20 |
Xcel Energy
Home Electric Savings Program
Offers appliance replacement and energy education. Qualified low-income residents can receive free replacement window air conditioners in exchange for older, less efficient units. For additional information or to apply please call Dave at 612-348-8858.
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
www.tricap.org/reach_out_for_warmth.html
HeatShare
A "last resort" program funded through customer contributions from Minnesota utilities and is 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. Persons who are elderly and persons with disabilities are given special consideration.
Contact your local Salvation Army for assistance: www.thesalarmy.org/serv/ServiceAreaPhoneNumbers.pdf
1-800-842-7279 for more information
http://thesalarmy.org/serv/heatshare.htm
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
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
www.kpcoop.com/operation_roundup.cfm