Warm up this winter: Apply for help in paying heat and utility bills

Minnesota’s cold weather rule, a state law, means that utility customers — whether a renter or homeowner — can’t have their electric or natural gas service shut off between Oct. 1 and April 30, as long as they’re on a payment plan.

Federally funded heating assistance programs are available to low-income Minnesotans

UPDATE: As you may know, the federal government has been shut down since October 1. During the shutdown, the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is accepting and processing EAP applications, but energy bill-payment assistance benefits may not be available until a month or more after the shutdown ends. For updated information on EAP funding, please go to mn/gov/home.

If you or someone you know needs help paying their energy bills, help is available. Apply for Energy Assistance Online, request a mail-in application or learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Energy & Utilities website.

Both renters and homeowners can qualify. Eligibility is based on income and household size. For example, a family of four who earn up to $71,988 annually could qualify to receive financial assistance with energy bills.

As noted in this Star Tribune story, How low-income Minnesotans can qualify for heating assistance this winter, “Residents can cut their energy bill by adding insulation and other efforts covered by the state’s separate Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps low-income residents with free improvements.”

To apply, visit  Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) by May 31, 2026.