Minnesota Receives $102 Million in Federal LIHEAP Funds

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Minnesota Receives $102 Million in Federal LIHEAP Funds

October 27, 2017

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman announced this morning (Friday, Oct. 27) that the state’s Energy Assistance Program is receiving over $102 million ($102,230,040) in federal funding to help low-income Minnesotans pay their heating bills this winter.

The funds from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are used to reduce home heating costs by making grant payments directly to utility companies and heating fuel vendors on behalf of eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters.

The new funding, which is at the same level as last year, is about 90 percent of the total federal funds expected for the state’s program this heating season.

Local service providers have reviewed thousands of applications for energy assistance already this fall, and payments for many who qualified will begin as early as this week.

There is still plenty of time for new applicants and for those who qualified last year to reapply, but funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be taken until May 31, 2018, or until funds run out.

Qualifying households must apply for assistance with the local service provider in their area. To get more information about the program and contact their local service provider, Minnesotans can call 800-657-3710 or visit the Energy Assistance section of the Commerce Department website.