The April 19th installment of “Working Together” reported that the 2020-2021 heating season has been extended and the new deadline to submit applications for Energy Assistance is now September 1, 2021. Furthermore, income eligibility has increased to included households earning up to 60 percent of the State Median Income, opening the program to an additional 100,000 Minnesota residents. This is a critical step to serve more households that have suffered economic hardships due to the pandemic and face increased energy bills as a result of the recent spike in natural gas costs.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is providing additional information regarding this program expansion, including: a table that illustrates eligibility guidelines based on household size; how to apply for Energy Assistance; information on weatherization services and the increased crisis benefit; and “citizen voices” that attest to the benefits of the program. This information can be accessed by visiting the Department of Commerce website here https://mn.gov/commerce/media/news/?id=477576. And, this information is available in Hmong, Somali, and Spanish. The site also provides helpful videos, including this one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo6P5recUOQ) from Department of Commerce Energy Assistance Program Director, Michael Schmitz.
For those that reside in either Ramsey or Washington counties, have questions about the program, and/or are in need of energy assistance, please contact us by phone at (651) 645-6470, via email at eap@caprw.org, or visit us online at https://caprw.org/services/energy-food-housing/energy-assistance.html.
