LIHEAP: Fighting Poverty in Minnesota

Click on the map below for county level funding and congressional districts

LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-657-3710
Website

LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Provider list

Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website

Minnesota Utilities

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. Call 1-800-255-4268  or visit energyassistance@alliantenergy.com for more information.

CenterPoint Energy
Gas Affordability Program
Provides a monthly GAP Affordability Credit for current natural gas charges and a fixed monthly bill amount for the remaining months. CenterPoint Energy will credit the account for current gas charges that are greater than 6 percent of a customer’s annual household income. A customer’s monthly natural gas charges will be estimated for the remaining months of the program year and then averaged to provide a fixed monthly bill amount for current charges. The program also provides a Matching GAP Installment Credit for any past due natural gas charges on a customer’s account prior to enrollment in the Gas Affordability Program. Each month a customer pays the GAP Installment amount, CenterPoint Energy will match it with an equal amount in credit. 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.

Xcel Energy 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.

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
Offers a low-income weatherization program, delivered through local community action agencies. Contact Donna Walkup at 218-739-6602 for more information.

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. Visit www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/home/liwap.aspx for information or call:

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:

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.