Energy Assistance is delayed: What other options are available?
Energy Assistance is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to households to pay home energy bills. The program is a lifeline to thousands of Minnesotans, but the government shutdown is delaying the release of any funds.
Energy Assistance is essential for Minnesotans. For the past two years, CUB has advocated at the State Legislature to expand the program. We are monitoring the funding delay and will share updates on the status of the program as soon as we have them. In the meantime, there are other programs, protections, and options to help keep your power and heat on this winter.
If you need immediate assistance, contact CUB today at 651-300-4701, info@cubminnesota.org, or by using our contact form.
What is Energy Assistance?
Energy Assistance is a federal program established in 1981 that is funded through congressional appropriations. In Minnesota, Energy Assistance is available from October 1 through May 31. In the 2024 – 2025 season, nearly $100 million was awarded to over 125,000 households across Minnesota, with an average household benefit of $748. This assistance prevented more than 35,000 disconnections and provided more than 10,700 heating fuel deliveries.
The program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Local agencies, usually Community Action Partnerships, process applications. Funds are applied directly to customer accounts with utility and fuel providers to cover the costs of current, future, and/or past-due bills
Anyone who pays a utility or home heating bill is eligible for Energy Assistance if they meet the income guidelines. Renters whose electricity and/or heat is included in their rent can also receive Energy Assistance. Extra assistance is available to households facing crisis situations, such as a broken heating system, service disconnection notice, or low fuel supply. Last season:
- 44% of participating households had a person over 60.
- 39% of participating households had a disabled member.
- 74% of funding went to households in Greater Minnesota.
Options for Electricity and Natural Gas Customers
The majority of Minnesotans use electricity or natural gas to power their homes, provided by investor-owned, municipal, and/or cooperative utilities. Options, protections, and programs exist for utility customers.
Though federal funding has not yet been allocated, Minnesota is still accepting applications for Energy Assistance. If you think you’re eligible, apply as soon as you can. Make sure to check the status of your application regularly in case you need to submit more information or make updates.
Applying now will allow you to receive funding promptly when the federal shutdown is resolved. Utilities can also see the status of your application as it moves through the review process. This is important for potentially accessing utility programs – more on that below.
Every Minnesotan is entitled to affordable payment arrangements for utility bills. Utilities are required to consider individual household circumstances when setting up a payment plan. While waiting for Energy Assistance funds to arrive, work with your utility to set up a payment plan that works for your household budget.
Never agree to a payment plan that doesn’t work for you. If you break a payment arrangement, you could be at risk of disconnection. If you need to renegotiate your plan, contact your utility.
If you can’t agree with your utility on a reasonable payment plan, contact the Consumer Affairs Office (CAO) of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. They can step to help you set up an affordable plan with your utility.
All investor-owned utilities (IOUs) in Minnesota provide programs that make service more affordable to qualifying customers, either by providing a flat discount or by capping bills at a portion of household income. Below are the IOUs in Minnesota and the programs they offer. More on these programs further down this page:
- CenterPoint Energy
Gas Affordability Program - Great Plains Natural Gas
Gas Affordability Program - Greater Minnesota Gas
Gas Affordability Program - Minnesota Energy Resources
Gas Affordability Program - Minnesota Power
CARE Program - Otter Tail Power
Uplift Program - Xcel Energy
Power On and Gas Affordability Programs
Minnesota Senior Discount Program for electric customers only
Municipal and cooperative utilities do not offer these formal affordability programs. However, many allow customers to voluntarily contribute to funds that assist households who need it. Contact your utility for more information about what is available.
Income-qualified energy efficiency programs provided by utilities often offer free upgrades that can help households save energy immediately.
The Weatherization Assistance Program can help you insulate your home against the weather and may be able to repair or replace broken heating systems.
If you have a medical condition that requires electricity, you may qualify for additional protections against disconnection. Contact your utility for more information, or check the utility-specific programs below.
The Consumer Affairs Office (CAO) is part of the Public Utilities Commission. The CAO helps customers with complaints related to their utility service. They can intervene on your behalf.
If you can’t reach a payment agreement with your utility, contact the CAO. They will mediate between a consumer and their utility to reach an affordable payment plan, and they can ensure that Cold Weather protections and other rules are being followed. You can also contact the CAO for complaints about customer service and billing issues.
Energy Assistance is the main assistance program for energy bills, but some other programs exist:
- Community Action Partnerships and other local service providers may have access to additional assistance funds.
- The Salvation Army has a program called HeatShare. From their website, “HeatShare is unlike other heat assistance programs because it's based almost exclusively on need. Though families must first prove they've been denied county or other assistance, their eligibility for HeatShare is then determined by only two factors — need and available HeatShare funding.”
- County and Tribal Emergency Assistance be accessed for households experiencing utility shutoff. You can apply online or contact your county or Tribal Nation human services office.
- Local houses of worship may have funds for community members struggling with energy bills.
- Community social service agencies may have emergency options to keep your power on.
- Students in college or vocational school can contact their institution’s student services. K-12 school social workers can also help families struggling with bills and point them in the direction of assistance resources.
- If you have a medical condition that requires electricity, you may qualify for additional protections against disconnection. Contact your utility for more information, or check the utility-specific programs below.
It’s a common misconception that you can’t have your utilities turned off in Minnesota during the winter. The Cold Weather Rule provides additional protections from October 1 to April 30, but you are still able to be disconnected if you have a past-due balance and do not set up a payment plan. In the 2024-2025 Cold Weather Rule season, over 20,000 households were disconnected from service.
If you cannot afford your entire winter energy cost, contact your utility to set up a payment plan that you can afford. Refer to the above resources and protections, and contact CUB for more support.
Options for Delivered Fuels and Wood Customers
Options and protections for households who use delivered fuels and wood to power their homes are limited. The Cold Weather Rule doesn’t extend to the 270,000 households who don’t use electricity or natural gas to heat their homes.
Though federal funding has not yet been allocated, Minnesota is still accepting applications for Energy Assistance. If you think you’re eligible, apply as soon as you can. Make sure to check the status of your application regularly in case you need to submit more information or make updates. Applying now will allow you to receive funding promptly when the federal shutdown is resolved.
Fuel delivery companies can see if customers have applied for Energy Assistance. As we wait for funds to arrive, see if your provider will set up a payment plan for service.
If you can’t afford a full tank of fuel, your provider may be willing to provide a partial fill. Fuel providers may offer budget billing options, which spread bills into equal monthly payments throughout the year. Some providers may work with their customers to provide support while Energy Assistance is unavailable. Contact your provider directly to see what options they can offer.
Energy Assistance is the main assistance program for energy bills, but some other programs exist:
- Community Action Partnerships and other local service providers may have access to additional assistance funds.
- The Salvation Army has a program called HeatShare. From their website, “HeatShare is unlike other heat assistance programs because it's based almost exclusively on need. Though families must first prove they've been denied county or other assistance, their eligibility for HeatShare is then determined by only two factors — need and available HeatShare funding.”
- County and Tribal Emergency Assistance be accessed for households experiencing utility shutoff. You can apply online or contact your county or Tribal Nation human services office.
- Local houses of worship may have funds for community members struggling with energy bills.
- Community social service agencies may have emergency options to keep your power on.
- Students in college or vocational school can contact their institution’s student services. K-12 school social workers can also help families struggling with bills and point them in the direction of assistance resources.
- If you have a medical condition that requires electricity, you may qualify for additional protections against disconnection. Contact your utility for more information, or check the utility-specific programs below.
Know Your Rights
Minnesota ratepayers have rights set by state law. Learn more about your rights and obligations as an energy consumer.
Utility Affordability Programs
Each utility’s affordability program is different. To qualify, a household must typically be approved for or have received Energy Assistance, though some programs allow customers to self-declare their income eligibility.
New enrollment in some of these programs will be complicated by the delay in Energy Assistance funding. Customers currently enrolled in an affordability program will be able to remain on that program as long as their Energy Assistance application is formally approved by the utility’s re-enrollment date. Customers should contact their utility or affordability program administrator with any questions.
Electricity Service
PowerOn for Electric Customers: If you are an Xcel Energy electric customer and receive Energy Assistance, you are eligible for the PowerOn program. The program offers affordable monthly payments as a percentage of your household income, and potential past due bill forgiveness. To enroll in PowerOn, complete an application with Energy CENTS Coalition.
Senior Discount for Electric Customers: If you are 62 years or older and/or disabled, and you receive Energy Assistance, you’re eligible for a $15/month discount on your electric bill. You will be enrolled in this program automatically upon receiving Energy Assistance. This program is only available for Xcel customers who receive electric service. More information here.
Low Usage Affordability Credit (LUAC): Xcel electric customers that receive Energy Assistance and use an average of 300 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity or less each month will be automatically enrolled in LUAC. The program provides households with a 35 percent discount on the energy charge portion of their monthly bill.
If you did not receive Energy Assistance during the past heating season, you can still participate in the program if your electricity usage falls below 300 kWh and you self-declare income eligibility. Contact Xcel for more information if you believe you qualify.
Medical Affordability Program (MAP): Xcel electric customers with chronic or severe medical conditions can receive assistance with their energy bills on a first-come, first-served basis. Although enrollment in Energy Assistance is not required, the income limits of the program are typically the same. If funds are still available, eligibility may open up for customers above the income limit.
Medical Protections: Minnesota law requires utilities to reconnect or continue service to a customer if they have a medical condition that requires electricity. While this program does not provide assistance with paying utility bills, it protects medically vulnerable customers from disconnection and/or provides them with advanced notice of planned power outages. In order to receive these protections, you must submit a form signed by a medical professional.
Gas Service
Gas Affordability Program: If you are an Xcel Energy gas customer and receive Energy Assistance, you are eligible for the Gas Affordability Program. The program offers affordable monthly payments as a percentage of your household income, and potential past-due bill forgiveness. To enroll in the Gas Affordability Program, complete this application with the Energy CENTS Coalition
Gas Affordability Program: If you are a CenterPoint customer and receive Energy Assistance, you are eligible for the Gas Affordability Program. The program offers affordable monthly payments as a percentage of your household income, and potential past-due bill forgiveness. Apply here.
Income- and Usage-Qualified Discount Rate: Qualified customers receive a discounted rate on their first 600 kWh of usage each month. To qualify, customers must (1) use an average of 1,000 kWh or less per month and (2) be approved for or self-declare as income-eligible for Energy Assistance. Apply here.
CARE Program: Minnesota Power customers who are approved for Energy Assistance or who self-declare as income-eligible qualify for the CARE program.
Currently, qualified customers can receive a $20 discount each month (Flat Discount). Customers who qualify for Energy Assistance or the Income- and Usage-Qualified Discount will be automatically enrolled if they are 62 years of age or older or have a member of the household with a disability.
The CARE Program also offers an Affordability Discount, which caps bills at 3% of income. Although this discount offering currently has a waiting list, efforts are underway to reopen the program to new participants.
Find more information and apply here.
Medical Protections: Minnesota law requires utilities to reconnect or continue service to a customer if they have a medical condition that requires electricity. While this program does not provide assistance with paying utility bills, it protects medically vulnerable customers from disconnection and/or provides them with advanced notice of planned power outages. In order to receive these protections, you must submit a letter signed by a medical professional.
Uplift Program: Otter Tail customers who are eligible for Energy Assistance are also eligible for a credit of $15, $25, or $40 on their electric bills. The amount of the credit varies based on household energy usage. Apply online or by printing this pdf.
Medical Protections: Minnesota law requires utilities to reconnect or continue service to a customer if they have a medical condition that requires electricity. While this program does not provide assistance with paying utility bills, it protects medically vulnerable customers from disconnection and/or provides them with advanced notice of planned power outages. In order to receive these protections, you must submit a form signed by a medical professional. Contact Otter Tail directly for more information.
Gas Affordability Program: If you are a MERC customer and receive Energy Assistance, you are eligible for the Gas Affordability Program. The program offers affordable monthly payments as a percentage of your household income, and potential past-due bill forgiveness. Apply here.
Gas Affordability Program: If you are a Great Plains Natural Gas customer and receive Energy Assistance, you are eligible for the Gas Affordability Program. The program offers affordable monthly payments as a percentage of your household income, and potential past-due bill forgiveness. Apply here.
Gas Affordability Program: If you are a Greater Minnesota Gas customer and receive Energy Assistance, you are eligible for the Gas Affordability Program. The program offers affordable monthly payments as a percentage of your household income, and potential past-due bill forgiveness. To enroll in the Gas Affordability Program, complete this application with Energy Cents Coalition.