[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President Gene Sperling, Governor Janet Mills of Maine, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut, and other senior White House officials to discuss plans to protect American families from rising winter energy costs and encourage Minnesotans to sign up for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program this winter.

“Every Minnesotan deserves a warm and safe home, and as we prepare for our harsh winter months, I am grateful for the unprecedented level of partnership from the federal government to help Minnesotans afford their heating bills,” said Governor Walz. “This year, President Biden’s American Rescue Plan is delivering direct financial support to help Minnesotans save money in the face of rising heating fuel prices. I encourage all Minnesotans to find out if they’re eligible for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program. Help is available.”

“We know that some Minnesota households pay as much as 30% of their income just on their heating bill, and families are struggling to warm their homes,” said Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. “ Thanks to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, more Minnesotans than ever qualify for financial assistance to pay their heating bills. As the weather turns colder, it’s important for Minnesotans to apply for assistance now to stay warm and safe in the coming months.”

In May, Minnesota received $167 million from the American Rescue Plan for energy assistance and $15 million for water assistance. Earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced that Minnesota was awarded an additional $106 million in federal funds for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program for the 2021-2022 season.

The Energy Assistance Program helps people who own or rent their homes pay for current and past-due bills for electricity, gas, oil, biofuel and propane, emergency fuel delivery, and repair or replacement of homeowners’ broken heating systems. The Energy Assistance Program can also cover water and sewer bills. This year, the Department of Commerce expanded eligibility and benefits, paying up to $3,200 to cover energy bills for income-eligible Minnesotans. With this expanded eligibility, a family of four could have income of almost $68,000 and still qualify.

The Energy Assistance Program Dashboard published by the Department of Commerce shows more than $32.5 million has already been paid to more than 28,000 Minnesota households in the past 45 days. The dashboard, which is updated weekly, shows county-by-county info for household average Energy Assistance Program benefits for the thousands of Minnesotans who have applied and qualified for this winter season.

Minnesotans can request an Energy Assistance Program application by visiting mn.gov/energyassistance or by calling 800-657-3710 and pressing 1.