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Energy Assistance Program

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which helps low-income renters and homeowners pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs. Household income must be at or below 50% of the state median income ($54,357 for a family of four) to qualify for benefits. Applications must be received or postmarked by May 31, 2021.

To learn more about the EAP program or to apply for assistance:

American Rescue Plan Act

Due to the continuing economic hardship created by the ongoing pandemic, the expected addition of over $100M in LIHEAP funds for Minnesota from the American Rescue Plan Act, and the likelihood that disconnection activity will be resuming over the summer, the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) plans to implement several policy updates. These changes are effective April 15, 2021.

Application deadline extended

To ensure Energy Assistance is available to Minnesotans when disconnections resume, we are extending the deadline for submitting an application for this program year from May 31, 2021, to September 1, 2021.

Income eligibility threshold

The additional LIHEAP funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act provides sufficient resources to increase the EAP income eligibility threshold from 50% of State Median Income (SMI) to 60% of SMI, which is the highest amount allowed by the LIHEAP statute. This change allows us to serve more households in need and to ensure we are able to get LIHEAP funds to the people they are intended to help. Commerce EAP will work with local Service Providers to identify households already denied with incomes between 50% and 60% SMI to ensure they are served. The updated income guidelines will be updated on Commerce’s website soon.

Questions? Call and speak to a Lake Country Power Customer Account Representative at 800-421-9959.