Utility Assistance Resources in Minnesota
Last updated September 6, 2026
Minnesota winters are among the harshest in the country, making affordable heat a genuine safety issue for families, seniors, and individuals on fixed or low incomes. Several federal and state-administered programs exist specifically to help Minnesotans keep their lights on and their homes warm — and you do not need to be in crisis to qualify for many of them.
The best starting point for most people is 2-1-1 Minnesota, a free, confidential helpline and online directory that connects residents to local utility assistance, emergency funds, and energy programs by county. You can call 2-1-1 (or 1-800-543-7709), text your zip code to 898-211, or search at mn.211.org to find what is available in your specific area, since many programs are administered county by county through local Community Action Agencies.
If you are a renter, a homeowner, elderly, disabled, or a veteran, there may be additional or prioritized assistance available to you. Many programs accept applications on a rolling basis, but funding can run out — especially for emergency assistance — so it is worth applying as early in the heating season as possible, typically beginning in the fall.
Key programs in Minnesota
Energy Assistance Program (EAP) — Minnesota's LIHEAP
Minnesota's federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households pay heating costs and can also assist with energy-related crisis situations such as a pending shutoff or an empty fuel tank. Benefits are applied directly to your utility account or fuel provider.
How to access: Applications are accepted through your county's designated Community Action Agency or local service provider. Contact 2-1-1 Minnesota or visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce website to find your local EAP office. You can also call the statewide Energy Assistance hotline maintained by the Department of Commerce at 800-657-3710.
Minnesota Department of Commerce — Energy Resources Division
Oversees the statewide Energy Assistance Program, weatherization resources, and consumer protections for utility customers, including rules about winter shutoff protections that apply from October 15 through April 15 for residential customers.
How to access: Visit mn.gov/commerce or call 651-296-4026 to learn about your rights as a utility customer, find local EAP providers, and explore weatherization programs that can reduce long-term energy costs.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
A federally funded program administered in Minnesota through local Community Action Agencies that provides free home energy efficiency improvements — such as insulation, air sealing, and furnace repair — to income-eligible households. Reduces energy bills over the long term.
How to access: Apply through your local Community Action Agency. Call 2-1-1 Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Commerce (800-657-3710) to find the agency serving your county. Renters may qualify with landlord approval.
2-1-1 Minnesota
A statewide information and referral service that connects residents to local emergency utility funds, one-time financial assistance through faith communities and nonprofits, and other social services not covered by government programs alone.
How to access: Call 2-1-1 (available 24/7), text your zip code to 898-211, or search online at mn.211.org. Specialists can help you find emergency funds when primary programs have waitlists or gaps in coverage.
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
A federally funded program that provides assistance to low-income households struggling to pay drinking water and wastewater bills. Administered in Minnesota through the Department of Human Services.
How to access: Contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services or call 2-1-1 to find out current program availability and how to apply, as funding and enrollment periods vary. Visit mn.gov/dhs for updates.
Utility Assistance resources for Minnesota
Other resources in Minnesota
- Housing Assistance in Minnesota
- Food Assistance in Minnesota
- Transportation Assistance in Minnesota
- Funeral & End-of-Life Assistance in Minnesota
- Mental Health Resources in Minnesota
- Domestic Violence Resources in Minnesota
- Disability Resources in Minnesota
- Veteran Resources in Minnesota
- Child & Family Assistance in Minnesota
- Senior Resources in Minnesota