Energy Assistance Program increasing Number of People who Qualify

DETROIT LAKES (KNSI/KDLM) — The Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program got a shot in the arm, increasing the number of utility customers who qualify for assistance.

LIHEAP, available from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, has been awarded another $106 million in federal funds. 42,000 people got help last year, but more people qualified and didn’t participate.

It’s available to both homeowners and renters, and customers don’t have to be current on their bills to get assistance. Bills can include electricity, gas, oil, biofuel and propane, emergency fuel delivery, and new this year could also cover water and sewer bills.

Money is also available for home weatherization, covering needed repairs, replacements, and upgrades that can lower heating and cooling costs.

“We can help with air sealing, insulating, upgrading of heating and water systems; all sorts of things that really don’t change the appearance of the house, but improves the efficiencies and saves money,” said Dan Josephson with MAHUBE-OTWA

With higher income eligibility, a family of four could earn almost $68,000 and qualify. The program only considers the past three months of income for a household, so even if someone is working and making money but was unemployed for a while, they can still get help.

More than $49.4 million has been awarded to 42,698 qualifying households. The average benefit is $1,159, and more than half of the households are seniors or those living with a disability.