​​​​​​Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (L​IHEAP​)

LIHEAP can help you pay for home heating costs. Households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs receive the greatest benefit.

Program benefits​

  • Provides direct payment to the energy supplier
  • Shows how to use home heating energy efficiently and safely
  • Advocates with energy suppliers and human service providers on behalf of consumers
  • Offers crisis help for utility disconnections and necessary fuel deliveries
  • Provides emergency heating system repair or replacement

How to apply​

Apply now​

Watch an Energy Assistance Application Tutorial here.

Eligibility guidelines

To determine eligibility, the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program uses the past three months of household income before signing the application and/or last year's federal tax forms for self-employment income. 

Important eligibility information:
  • Energy assistance program income guidelines are based on 60% of the state's median income (SMI)
  • The size of the grants are based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage.
  • The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Human Services and administered by the state Department of Commerce
  • Funds are available for renters and homeowners

​MN Energy Assistance Program: Maximum income guidelines

These are the income guidelines for the FFY23 program year, which is October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. The maximum income guidelines increased from 50% SMI to 60% SMI in March 2023, due to supplemental federal LIHEAP funds awarded to Minnesota.

Household Size
Annual Income Limit
3 Month Max. Guidelines
1
 $36,687.00  $9,171.00
2
 $47,975.00  $11,993.00
3 $59,263.00  $14,815.00
4 $70,552.00  $17,638.00
5 $81,840.00  $20,460.00
6 $93,128.00  $23,282.00
7 $95,245.00  $23,811.00
8 $97,362.00  $24,340.00
9 $99,478.00  $24,869.00
10 $101,595.00  $25,398.00
11 $103,711.00  $25,927.00
12 $105,828.00  $26,457.00
13 $107,944.00  $26,986.00
14 $110,061.00  $27,515.00
15 $112,177.00  $28,044.00
16 $114,294.00  $28,573.00
17 $116,411.00  $29,102.00
18 $118,527.00  $29,631.00
19 $120,644.00  $30,161.00
20 $122,760.00  $30,690.00


For additional household size income requirements, contact your community action office. To identify that telephone number, call our Customer Information Center at 612-372-4680 or toll-free at 1-800-729-6164.

*Based on 60% of State Median Income or 100% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, whichever is greater.