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Utility Bill Fund

Lights On, Homes Warm

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Lights On, Homes Warm Utility Bill Fund

Donate to CUB Minnesota's Lights On, Homes Warm utility bill fund to help our neighbors keep up with their energy bills.

In addition to rent and groceries, gas and electric bills are an increasing need for our neighbors and are putting unsustainable pressure on existing mutual aid networks. Your support helps us help Minnesotans who need support.

Funds are available as a flat $250 for electric service and a flat $250 for natural gas service, and are sent directly to the utility. To learn more about the intake process, click here.

The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible.

How To Apply

Application Status

Request Assistance

To apply for support, contact CUB at 651-300-4701, and press 9 to reach our Outreach Team. CUB staff will discuss multiple program options and protections available. If you are in need of interpretation service, please share your language needs at the beginning of the call. If you reach our voicemail, please leave a message.

Funds are available as a flat $250 for electric service and a flat $250 for natural gas service. Funds are sent directly to the utility. Funds are not available for other utilities such as water or sewage.

When submitting an application for support, community members should have the below information accessible. CUB staff will fill out the application over the phone:

Name of account holder as it appears on the bill(s)
Name of utility provider(s)
Utility account number(s)
House number
Contact information (optional)

Though Cold Weather Rule protections exist, it is still possible to have utility service disconnected in the winter months. Our goal is to not only provide direct support, but to also connect Minnesotans to the programs they’re eligible for and the protections they are entitled to.

Lights On, Homes Warm Utility Bill Fund Update

Update March 25, 2026: We know that many of you who have enrolled in the Lights On, Homes Warm fund have been waiting too long to receive assistance. We’ve run into a lot of bureaucratic hurdles, and we sincerely apologize for the delay.

If your application was submitted before March 6: The payment has been sent to your utility. We do not have a clear answer from Xcel Energy or CenterPoint Energy regarding when that financial support will show up on your bill but we hope it is within the next week.

If your application was submitted after March 6: Your application was placed on a waitlist while we wait for more funds to arrive. We expect Lights On, Homes Warm to receive a large grant soon. Once secured, Energy CENTS Coalition will distribute funds, which will then need to be posted to your account.

To those waiting to apply for support: We have put a temporary pause on applications for financial support while we retool our distribution model. We hope to start taking applications again next week.

To everyone behind on their utility bills: Even if you have a pending application for utility bill support, we encourage you to contact your utility, let them know you are having trouble paying your bill, and set up a payment plan. We recognize that a payment plan is not a great long-term solution but setting one up will provide you with peace of mind and can delay or resolve a disconnection.

Actualización del 25 marzo 2026: Sabemos que muchos de ustedes, quienes se han inscrito en el fondo "Lights On, Homes Warm," han esperado recibir la asistencia durante mucho tiempo. Nos hemos topado con numerosos obstáculos burocráticos y les pedimos sinceras disculpas por la demora.

Si su solicitud fue presentada antes del 6 de marzo: El pago ha sido enviado a su compañía de servicios públicos. No tenemos una respuesta clara por parte de Xcel Energy o CenterPoint Energy sobre cuándo se verá reflejado ese apoyo financiero en su cuenta. Sin embargo, esperamos que suceda en el transcurso de la próxima semana.

Si su solicitud fue presentada después del 6 de marzo: Su solicitud ha sido colocada en una lista de espera mientras aguardamos la llegada de más fondos. Esperamos que el programa "Lights On, Homes Warm" reciba pronto una subvención importante. Una vez asegurados los fondos, la Energy CENTS Coalition procederá a distribuirlos; posteriormente, dichos fondos deberán ser acreditados en su cuenta.

Para aquellos que esperan para solicitar apoyo: Hemos suspendido temporalmente la recepción de solicitudes de apoyo financiero mientras reestructuramos nuestro modelo de distribución. Esperamos volver a aceptar solicitudes la próxima semana.

Para todos aquellos que tienen facturas de servicios públicos atrasadas: Incluso si tienen una solicitud de ayuda para el pago de facturas pendiente, les recomendamos encarecidamente que se pongan en contacto con su compañía de servicios públicos, que les informen que usted se enfrenta a dificultades para pagar su factura, y que establezcan un plan de pagos. Reconocemos que un plan de pagos no constituye una solución ideal a largo plazo; no obstante, un plan de pagos puede retrasar o evitar la desconexión del servicio.