Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is sponsored by Minnesota Valley Action Council. Provides funds to assist in paying heating and electric bills, disconnections, and heating system repairs or replacements for homeowners.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP) | Minnesota Valley Action Council Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Energy Assistance Program (EAP) We Can Help You Pay Your Heating & Electrical Bills MVAC Is Still Processing Energy Assistance Applications Funds For Assistance Will Not Be Available Until After Federal Offices Re-Open Despite the federal shutdown, Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) Energy Assistance Program (EAP) staff are processing applications so they will be ready when the federal funds arrive.

Area residents are encouraged to apply for the program now. Applications are available on the MVAC website at www. mnvac.

org/programs/energy. MVAC staff expect the agency will not receive funding until at least one month after the federal government re-opens. This estimate is based on communication from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

In the meantime, MVAC reminds residents to: Continue to pay your bill Contact your energy vendor to make payment arrangements Ask your energy vendor about the cold weather rule. Applications are available at all nine MVAC offices and online. Please visit mnvac.

org for more information. Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program is federally funded and administered by the Department of Commerce, which works with local service providers throughout the state. If you have an energy emergency, please contact your Energy Vendor to arrange a payment plan.

If you are still in an emergency after November 1st, please contact us. Local phone number: 1-507-345-6822 Toll Free phone number: 1-800-767-7139 *Please note that a recent program policy change requires energy bills to be in a household member’s name in order for payment to be sent to an energy account* MVAC delivers this program as a grantee on behalf of the MN Department of Commerce.

Amanda Mackie is the Executive Director and Judd Schultz directly manages and oversees this Grant Contract on behalf of the Grantee. To reach them, please email eap@mnvac.

org 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) Energy Assistance Verification Forms Self-Employment Income Cash Accounting Form Verification of Income & Expenses (VIE) MVAC EAP County Assistance Verification MVAC EAP Employment verification Affidavit Declaring Change in Income Form Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) What is the Energy Assistance Program (EAP)?

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. What is the time period to apply for energy assistance? Households can apply for energy assistance from Oct.

1 through May 31. Do I need to apply every year? You need to apply every program year, which is October 1st – May 31st every year.

Do I need to be in an emergency situation to apply for energy assistance? No. You do not have to owe anything to be eligible for Energy Assistance. Apply as soon as you can while funding is available.

Your application will be processed in the order it was received unless you have an energy emergency. Where do I get an application? The deadline to apply for Energy Assistance was 5/31/26.

You can apply for assistance again when the new program year begins on 10/1/26. Please contact us if you would like an application sent to you come that time. Where can I submit my application?

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.

I lost my application. What can I do? 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. Do I have to submit my income information? It is the same as last year.

Unless your application indicates it is a RECERTIFICATION application and income has not changed, you will need to provide income documentation. Recertification applications are only mailed to those with fixed incomes and even they must resubmit the information every 3 years. All other applications do require proof of income from the prior calendar month that you signed the application regardless if the income is same as last year.

What information do I need to submit with my application? You will need to submit income 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 also submit most recent copies of your heating & electric bills. Do I need my Social Security Number?

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. I did not have any income this last month.

You may need to fill out the Verification of Income and Expense (VIE) form if you have been unemployed for longer than 6 months or our Affidavit Declaring Change in Income if you lost a job within the last 6 months. The forms are located on our website or you can contact us with further questions. I already submitted my application but now have more information to send in.

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. The information on my application has changed from last year. What should I do?

Cross out any inaccurate information and write in the correct information or contact your local office. How long will it take to process my application? Applications are processed in the order they are received.

Generally, it will take between 60 and 90 days to process a complete application. Funding is currently unavailable. Funding should be available sometime in November 2025 when the new program year begins.

Please contact us for further information. Has my application been received? When we receive your application, we send out a confirmation letter either via email or mail according to your contact preference 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 assist. I submitted my application.

Can you tell me if it is complete? You will receive a letter via email or mail according to your contact preference requesting further information if it is required to complete your application. Once you are approved, you will receive an approval letter via email or mail notifying you.

I have a disconnection notice. Can you help me? Funding is currently unavailable.

Make sure your energy bills are in a household member’s name. Contact your energy vendor to arrange a payment plan.

If you are still facing a disconnection, please contact us at 507-345-6822 MN Department of Commerce Public Utilities Commission MN Department of Human Services CenterPoint Energy GAP Online Application Xcel Energy PowerOn & Gas Affordability Program Minnesota Energy Resources Gas Affordability Program Greater Minnesota Gas Affordability Program Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) MVAC Energy Efficiency & Conservation