June 23, 2017
For Immediate Release:
SAINT
PAUL – Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman announced that Minnesota has
received an additional $13
million in federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for
the state’s Energy Assistance Program.
This
second and final installment of funding means that Minnesotans who qualified
for energy assistance after money ran out in mid-April and who applied before
the May 31 program deadline will now receive assistance to pay their heating
bills from the past winter.
Minnesota
received $101 million, or the bulk of its federal energy assistance funding,
last October. The new federal installment brings the 2016-2017 heating season
total to $114 million.
“The heating season is over, but many
Minnesotans who were counting on help to pay their heating bills will get the
help they need,” said Rothman, whose agency includes the
state energy office.
“Many Minnesotans struggle to make ends meet year-round, so this energy
assistance helps provide important relief.”
To date this year, the state’s Energy Assistance Program served over
126,000 Minnesota households, with the average grant per household at just over
$520.
The
program helps homeowners and renters who earn less than 50 percent of the
state’s median income ($47,194 for a family of four) pay heating bills through grant money paid directly to utility
companies and heating fuel vendors on behalf of customers.
Minnesotans who have difficulty paying their heating bills are encouraged
to apply for energy assistance. Households that include children under the age
of six, people with disabilities, veterans and seniors are especially
encouraged to apply.
The
Minnesota Commerce Department administers the Energy Assistance Program in
partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. The program
is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
How to apply
The
2016-2017 application deadline was May 31, so applications received after that
date are not eligible to receive benefits for the past program year. However,
these applicants may be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program or
other assistance through county social service programs, community-based
organizations and nonprofit agencies.
Minnesotans
who inquire about the program after May 31 will also be put on a mailing list
to automatically receive an application for the next heating season.
Energy assistance applications for 2017-18 will be
accepted beginning on October 1. Funding is administered on a first-come,
first-served basis, so Minnesotans are urged to apply as soon as possible after
October 1.
Qualifying households must apply for energy assistance
through the local service provider in their area. To identify and contact your
local service provider; call 800-657-3710 or visit the Energy Assistance
Program section of the Minnesota Commerce Department website.
Media Contact: Ross Corson Director of Communications Minnesota Department of Commerce P: 651-539-1463 | C: 651-368-5050 | ross.corson@state.mn.us
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