LIHEAP FY 2009 Funding
$144,527,532 - regular block grant
$19,454,863 - emergency contingency funds
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level 50% State Median Income
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2008 Heating)
126,000
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: October 1 - July 31
Crisis: October 1 - June 30
State
The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides funds for emergency crisis assistance to households who would otherwise be without heat.
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
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.
CenterPoint Energy
Gas Affordability Program
A pilot 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. The flat amount for current natural gas charges will not exceed 6 percent of a customer’s annual household income. 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. Please contact CenterPoint Energy at 612-372-4727 or 1-800-245-2377 for more information. www.centerpointenergy.com/services/naturalgas/residential/customerservice/
paymentassistance/e9f200979b1e4110VgnVCM10000001a10d0aRCRD/
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
Great Plains offers a low-income weatherization program, delivered through local community action agencies.
Contact Donna Walkup, at 218-739-6602
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.
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Council (Virginia) 800-662-5711
Bi-County Community Action ( Bemidji ) 800-332-7161
Dakota County Community Development Agency 651-675-4400
Inter-County Community Action Council (Oklee) 218-796-5144
Kooch-Itasca Action Council ( Grand Rapids ) 800-422-0312
Lakes & Pines CAA (Mora) 800-832-6082
Mahube Community Council ( Detroit Lakes ) 218-847-1385
Minnesota Valley Action Council ( Mankato ) 800-767-7139
Northwest Community Action Agency (Badger) 800-568-5319
Ottertail-Wadena CAC ( New York Mills) 800-450-2900
Prairie Five Community Action Council ( Montevideo ) 800-292-5437
SEMCAC (Rushford) 800-944-3281
Scott Carver Dakota CAP (Shakopee) 952-496-2125
Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council ( Worthington ) 800-658-2444
Three Rivers Community Action (Zumbrota) 800-277-8418
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council (Crookston) 218-281-5832
Western Community Action ( Marshall )
www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/service/assistance.aspx
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. www.otpco.com/SaveEnergyMoney/houseTherapy.asp
Low-Income Weatherization Program
A natural gasprogram that provides insulation, furnace replacement, and water heaters.
Home Electric Savings Program
Offers appliance replacement and energy education.
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Reach Out for Warmth (ROFW)
Established in 1992 by the Minnesota State Legislature, the Department of Economic Security's Energy Program Unit administers this year-round emergency fuel fund through 40 local energy assistance agencies. ROFW agencies provide people in need with emergency energy assistance and furnace repair. The program is funded from corporate and individual donations.
1-800-657-3805 ww.state.mn.us/
HeatShare
A "last resort" program funded through customer contributions from Minnesota utilities and is administered by The Salvation Army. Provides money to help pay natural gas, oil, propane, wood, and electricity bills, and to help with emergency furnace repairs. Persons who are elderly and persons with disabilities are given special consideration.
Contact your local Salvation Army for assistance: www.thesalarmy.org/serv/ServiceAreaPhoneNumbers.pdf
1-800-842-7279 for more information www.heatshare-mn.org/
Agralite Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Customer donations provide funds for individuals and organizations. Grants can be made to individuals who are experiencing medical or other emergencies. Requests should be made to a board member or to Agralite Electric Cooperative.
320-843-4150 or 1-800-950-8375 www.agralite.coop/operation_round_up_frameset.htm
Operation Round Up
Customer donations provide funds for individuals and organizations. Applications are designated for either an individual or an organization in need.
Caring Members
Customer donations that assist the elderly, disabled, or family in need to pay their energy bill this winter. The Minnesota Valley Action Council administers the program.
Kandiyohi Power Cooperative
Operation Roundup
Customer donations assist households facing a crisis. Applications are reviewed by an independent board. Awards address needs such as food, clothing, shelter, health care and other community services.
320-235-4155 or 1-800-551-4951 www.kpcoop.com/operation_roundup.cfm
Minnesota Valley Cooperative, Light and Power Association
Operation Round Up
Member donations provide funds for charitable organizations and individuals or families who need assistance.
320-269-2163 or 1-800-247-5051 www.mnvalleyrec.com/operations.php
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
Operation Round Up
Member donations provide funds for charitable organizations and assistance for families or individuals in crisis due to a natural or medical disaster. Applications for individuals or families are available on the website.
763-477-3000 Ext. 6126 www.whe.org/service_center/environment.asp
