As the state observes Veterans Day this year, the Minnesota Department of Commerce wants all Minnesota veterans who may struggle paying their heating bills to know that help is available from the state’s Energy Assistance Program.
“Minnesotans who served and sacrificed in uniform for our nation should not be left in the cold,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, whose agency administers energy assistance in Minnesota. “Last year our state’s Energy Assistance Program helped keep the heat on for more than 8,100 veteran households. The average grant per household was about $520, providing an essential safety net against losing heat during the coldest months of the year.”
The 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 program served nearly 133,000 Minnesota households last year. Some of these households also received help to address no-heat crisis situations and repair broken heating systems.
The Minnesota Commerce Department administers the Energy Assistance Program in partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. It is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
How to apply for heating assistance
Applications were recently sent to Minnesotans who qualified for energy assistance last year. Others who may qualify are encouraged to apply by contacting their local service provider.
For information, contact the Commerce Department’s Energy Information Center by phone at 800-657-3710 or by email at energy.info@state.mn.us. Information is also available at the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.
