Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Last updated August 2026
Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program, EAP, helps with winter heating bills. It is federally funded, run by the Department of Commerce, and delivered through local service providers who take the applications. The financial assistance is paid directly to your utility company. The program year runs October 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026.
The income line is 50 percent of state median income, not the 60 percent some sources cite. For the 2025-2026 program year that is about $37,439 a year ($3,119 a month) for one person, up to about $71,999 a year ($5,999 a month) for a family of four. That reaches well into working-household territory.
Two facts widen the door. Both homeowners and renters may apply. And assets, including the home you live in, are not counted in deciding eligibility, so you are judged on income, not what you own.
There is help for broken heat, not just bills. EAP funds Emergency heating system Repair or Replacement, called ERR, for owner-occupied households that are EAP-eligible. If your furnace fails in a Minnesota winter, that is the program to name.
One paperwork detail that trips people: to get any benefit you must apply through your local provider, and a paper application must be signed by hand. Electronic signatures are not accepted, so do not skip the signature.
Stack the help. If you are approved for EAP, you are automatically screened for weatherization, which fixes the home so future bills shrink. And the state help line is 1-800-657-3710. For anything urgent, dial 2-1-1 for local utility funds.
Phone 1-800-657-3710
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Income-qualified households based on your household size and recent income; being on other assistance can help you qualify
- Apply between October 1 and May 31, and ask about crisis help right away if your heat is off or a shutoff notice has arrived
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply through your local energy assistance provider; the state help line is 1-800-657-3710.
- 2
Homeowners and renters both qualify; assets, including your home, are not counted.
- 3
Sign the paper application by hand; electronic signatures are not accepted.
- 4
If your furnace fails, ask about Emergency Repair or Replacement (ERR) for owner-occupied homes.
What to have ready
- A recent heating or utility bill
- Proof of income for household members
- ID and proof of address. Your provider confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
What is the income limit for Minnesota EAP?
50 percent of state median income: about $37,439 a year for one person, up to about $71,999 for a family of four, for the 2025-2026 program year.
Can renters apply?
Yes. Both homeowners and renters may apply, and assets such as the home are not counted in deciding eligibility.
My furnace broke. Can EAP help?
EAP funds Emergency heating system Repair or Replacement (ERR) for owner-occupied households that are EAP-eligible.
How do I apply?
Through your local energy assistance provider. A paper application must be signed by hand; electronic signatures are not accepted. State help line: 1-800-657-3710.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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