Minnesota energy assistance

Minnesota income limits, FFY2027

Maximum household income by household size: 50% of Minnesota state median income.

Commerce's flyer lists households of 1 to 6. For 7 or more people, ask your local service provider or call 1-800-657-3710.

Minnesota's approved FFY2027 LIHEAP plan sets the limit at 50% of state median income. The figures are from the Department of Commerce's Energy Assistance flyer, published in August 2026. Commerce's FFY2027 hearing notice put the 50% limit for a household of four at $73,970, a dollar off the flyer's figure. In the summer of 2026 Commerce said it might lower the limits if federal funding were cut; the approved plan keeps 50%.

Source: Minnesota Department of Commerce, Energy Assistance Program flyer (August 2026) (our copy, PDF).

How much you can get

The heating benefit depends on household income and fuel costs. Minnesota's approved FFY2027 plan sets it between $200 and $1,400, and Commerce's flyer gives an average of $550 to $600.

Source: Minnesota FFY2027 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan (approved), section 2.6; EAP flyer (our copy, PDF).

When to apply

Heating assistance runs from October 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027, and applications must be received or postmarked by May 31, 2027. Crisis help can be started until July 1, 2027.

Source: Minnesota FFY2027 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan (approved), section 1.1 (our copy, PDF).

Emergency and crisis help

Crisis funds of up to $600 cover a heat-related shut-off or disconnection notice, a fuel tank under 20% with a dealer refusing to deliver, less than a week of wood or other biofuel, a non-heat electric shut-off or disconnection notice, less than 10 days of pre-paid energy, and a senior's past-due or current energy bill. The emergency has to be verified with the energy company by your service provider. Energy Related Repair (ERR) separately repairs or replaces a homeowner's furnace or boiler that does not heat, is malfunctioning or is unsafe (for example, producing carbon monoxide); renters are not eligible because landlords must keep rental units heated.

Source: Minnesota FFY2027 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan (approved), section 4 (our copy, PDF).

How to apply

• Find your service provider. Minnesota runs EAP through local service providers, which take the applications. Commerce's information and provider list are at mn.gov/home. mn.gov/home
• Phone. Call 1-800-657-3710 to find your local Energy Assistance service provider.

Source: Minnesota Department of Commerce, Energy Assistance Program flyer (our copy, PDF).

Also worth knowing

Official documents

Unchanged copies of Minnesota Department of Commerce’s documents, hosted here so they stay reachable. Each links to the original on the agency’s site.

• Energy Assistance Program flyer (August 2026) PDF · FFY2027

  Income limits for households of 1 to 6, average and maximum benefit, phone number.

  Original on the agency site
• Minnesota FFY2027 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan (approved) PDF · FFY2027

  Dates, the May 31 deadline, minimum and maximum benefits, crisis rules and Energy Related Repair.

  Original on the agency site
• FFY2027 State Plan public hearing notice PDF · FFY2027

  Commerce's July 2026 notice, including how income limits would fall if federal funding were cut.

  Original on the agency site