ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced $112 million in federal funds awarded to the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Funding will provide energy assistance to income-eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters to help keep their homes warm this winter.

“In our coldest months, higher utility bills can put a strain on Minnesotans’ budgets,” said Governor Walz. “Our Energy Assistance Program makes a big difference in alleviating this pressure, ensuring that Minnesotans get the help they need to make it comfortably through the winter. This funding will continue to lower costs and keep Minnesotans safe.”

“The Energy Assistance Program is essential to help Minnesotans have warm, safe homes. We will be able to deliver that warmth to more than one hundred thousand homes this winter season,” said Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold.

Last year, the energy assistance program awarded 129,500 households with energy assistance, providing over $95 million to households, with an average household benefit of $736. This year’s funding will provide an increase in average household benefits.

Funding also prevented utility shutoffs for 43,000 households, provided emergency heating fuel deliveries to over 10,000 homes, and provided emergency furnace repairs to 6,600 homes.

About two thirds of the benefits go to homes outside the Twin Cities metro area. About 40 percent of households receiving energy assistance in Minnesota had a person over age 60 or had a household member with a disability, and about one in six households had children under age six living in the home.

By applying for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program, homeowners and renters may also qualify for Minnesota’s Weatherization Assistance Program and receive free home improvements to help save energy and ensure a warm, healthy, safe home.

For more information and to apply online: mn.gov/homes.