Energy Assistance Program (EAP)

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We Can Help You Pay Your Heating & Electrical Bills. Energy Assistance applications now available

The 2023 – 2024 Program Year starts October 1st, 2023. Please call your county office.

You can apply for EAP by filling out our online application or by calling MVAC to request an application.  Mail your completed application and supporting documents to 706 N Victory Dr., Mankato MN 56001 or call for drop-off instructions at your local MVAC office.

For general questions, please contact us at 1-800-767-7139 or 507-345-6822.  You can also reach us by email at eap@mnvac.org.

At this time, we encourage you to contact your energy provider(s) to set up a reasonable payment plan. However, if you are facing disconnection or are already disconnected, please speak with one of our staff members in your county: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan

Energy Assistance Program (EAP) facts:

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is a program that provides funds to assist in paying heating and electric bills, disconnections for homeowners and renters and also to help pay for heating system repairs or replacements for homeowners.

  • Renters and homeowners are eligible.
  • Grants range from $200 to $1,400, based on household size, income, & energy usage and are paid directly to the energy supplier. The average grant is $500.00
  • This is an income-based program for wage-earners, self-employed, seniors, or those on a fixed income.
  • In addition to the initial grant, two other programs are available to EAP approved Households:
    • Crisis funds are available to help pay a past due bill (disconnect) or get an emergency fuel delivery.
    • Energy Related Repairs (ERR) provides emergency repair or replacement of heating systems.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements?

You must be income eligible (guidelines below)

# in household Gross 1 Month Income
1 $2,722
2 $3,559
3 $4,397
4 $5,235
5 $6,072
6 $6,910
7 $7,067
8 $7,224

Application

Click here for an application to print out (submit by mail, email, or fax)

Click here for a fillable application to print out (submit by mail, email, or fax) 

Click here for an application in other languages to print out (submit by mail, email, or fax)

OR Apply online here

Email: eap@mnvac.org

Fax: 507-345-2414

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

EAP provides a financial help with heating costs to households who qualify, crisis assistance for shut off and no fuel emergencies, energy-related repairs (ERR) for home heating systems and referrals to weatherization and other human service providers.

Households can apply for energy assistance from Oct. 1 through May 31. Application deadline May 31, 2024.

No, not every year, but every heating season. The heating season is from Oct. 1 through May 31.

No. Apply as soon as you can. Your application will be processed in the order it was received.

If you received Energy Assistance last year, you will receive one in the mail sometime in September. Otherwise, it is available October 1st pick up in a county office, download from our website, or one can be mailed out to you.

 

You can mail your application to 706 N Victory Dr, Mankato, MN 56001. You can also drop it off in any of our county office locations, fax it to 507-345-2414, or email it to eap@mnvac.org.

We are not able to reproduce the pre-printed application. A blank application can be mailed to you or you can download a copy of the application online or apply online.

Yes, unless the application says RECERTIFICATION on the front page, just to the right of the words 2023-2024 MINNESOTA ENERGY PROGRAMS APPLICATION, you are required to submit the income information, with an exception of change in received income. Recertification applications are only mailed to those with fixed incomes and even they must resubmit the information every 3 years.

Income information and bills. Income information for the last calendar month prior to the date the application was signed. So if the application was signed in September, we would need income from August. We are required to look at pay dates on your paycheck and document gross income. If able, please submit most recent copies of your heating & electric bills. 

Yes, everyone in the household ages 1 and up will need to provide their Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to provide documentation of acceptable alternatives.

You will need to fill out the verification of income and expenses worksheet. You can print the form from our website, or you can call us to get one mailed to you.

You can mail in your info, email it to eap@mnvac.org, drop it off, or fax it. Please make sure your name is clearly printed on the documents. It will be put with your file.

 

Cross out any inaccurate information and write in the correct information or call your local office. 

Applications are processed in the order they are received. Generally, it will take between 60 and 90 days to process a complete application. Regardless of when the application is completed, grants and award letters will not be sent until funds become available.

 

We do not know exactly when funds will arrive. Our best guess is mid-November or later, as it has been the past few years. Households can visit our website for more information.

When we receive your application, we mail out a confirmation letter letting you know what date your application was received and what to expect this program year for Energy Assistance. Typically, this could take up to a week or two to receive in the mail. If you do not receive your letter, you can call us at 507-345-6822 and we can look it up.

You will receive a letter requesting further information if it is required to complete your application. Once you are approved, you will receive a letter in the mail notifying you.

We do not currently have funds available to assist with disconnection notices. Please check you’re your local Salvation Army or County HS for emergency assistance.