2025-2026 Energy Assistance Program

Grant Types

PRIMARY HEAT:  Heating assistance is available to households who rent or own, whose income is at or below 50 percent of the state median income. The assistance you receive pays a portion of home energy and heating costs. Grants are based on household size, gross income, and the previous year’s energy costs. Grants are paid directly to your energy providers.

CRISIS PROGRAM: Households experiencing a heating or electric emergency may be eligible for additional crisis assistance. You must be approved for energy assistance and a primary heat grant does not resolve the situation.

ENERGY RELATED REPAIR (ERR):  ERR funds are available to homeowners experiencing a life-threatening situation or a no-heat emergency due to a malfunctioning or nonfunctioning heating system. You must be approved for energy assistance to qualify for this program. Proof of home ownership is required.

Application Process

Applications for Energy Assistance are accepted from October 1 through May 31st each year.  Households who have not previously applied for Energy Assistance can request or print an application. To request an application by mail or for questions about the program, call Kootasca at 877-687-1163 or request an application at MN.gov. Applications are available to download in English, Español, Hmoob, Soomaali and Tiếng Việt.

• A new application must be completed, dated and signed once per year in order to receive Energy Assistance
• A new application must be submitted for each program year (Oct 1 to May 31) to:

KOOTASCA Energy Assistance Program

822 NE 5th Ave

Grand Rapids, MN 55744

• Phone: 218-999-0824 or 1-877-687-1163
• Fax: 218-999-0845
• E-mail: eap.support.info@kootasca.org
• By EAP online application: http://mn.gov/home
  • How to apply from a phone, computer or tablet | video: https://youtu.be/hwI2sTRnqLE

About the online application | video: https://youtu.be/04f-3ZEzLPU

Department of Commerce website address: http://mn.gov/commerce/

Applications in Large Print and additional languages can be accessed at the MN Dept of Commerce

Energy Assistance Program / Minnesota Department of Commerce – Energy

Program Coordinator: Autumn O’Brien

Executive Director: Marta Carrigan

If you have already applied, please be patient. Every application submitted will be properly processed. For emergency situations, if your heat or electric are disconnected, your heating fuel is gone, or your furnace stopped running – contact your local Energy Assistance Program provider immediately.

Energy Assistance Program Service Provider Phone Number List:  Find Your Provider / Minnesota Department of Commerce – Energy

AFTER HOURS NO HEAT CRISIS LINE: 888-249-8879

Please note this phone is ONLY monitored October 1 through May 1.  For emergencies outside of those dates, please call our office at 1-877-687-1163.

On-call staff monitor this phone on holidays, weekends and after normal business hours. Please make sure you leave a message with your name spelled out, phone number to call you back, and a message with the emergency you are experiencing. This phone is monitored every few hours. Calling more than once will not expedite your call. If you smell natural gas, you should exit your home immediately and call the emergency phone number for your gas company.