Short answer
What are the income guidelines for energy assistance in Minnesota?
Minnesota households may qualify for EAP with gross income up to $3,205 a month for one person or $6,164 for four. These official limits apply October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. (Minnesota Commerce, EAP income guidelines) EAP helps pay heating and electric bills, and payments go straight to your energy company. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program)
| Fact | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit | 50 percent of state median income: $3,205 a month for 1 person, $6,164 for 4 (official FFY27 limits) | Commerce, EAP income guidelines |
| Program year | October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Apply by May 31, 2027 | Commerce, EAP income guidelines |
| Estimated benefit | Primary heat benefit an estimated $200 to $1,400, averaging an estimated $500 | Commerce, EAP Policy Manual |
| Who sets the amount | Figured from your energy costs and household income. Your local service provider decides | Commerce, EAP Policy Manual |
| How to apply | Online at mn.gov/home, or a paper application to your local provider. Free | Commerce, 2026 to 2027 application |
Source: Minnesota Department of Commerce, EAP income guidelines and Minnesota Department of Commerce, Energy Assistance Program. Verified .
Your local service provider decides eligibility and benefit amounts. Benefit Bull is free and never submits applications for you.
Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program, or EAP, is federally funded and run by the Department of Commerce through local service providers across the state. Both renters and homeowners may qualify, and eligibility is based on income and household size. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program)
The state's own example: a family of four can earn up to $73,969 a year and still get help with energy bills. That is the annual version of the $6,164 monthly limit. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program) (Minnesota Commerce, EAP income guidelines)
How does Minnesota count your income for EAP?
EAP tests one month of income, not a full year. You send proof of gross income for everyone in the household from the last full calendar month before the month you sign. Sign in November 2026, for example, and October 2026 is the month that counts. Your income for that month cannot be more than the monthly limit for your household size. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
Everyone who lives in the home and shares the kitchen or other living areas counts as a household member. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
| Household size | 1 month maximum | Annual income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,205 | $38,464 |
| 2 | $4,191 | $50,299 |
| 3 | $5,177 | $62,134 |
| 4 | $6,164 | $73,969 |
| 5 | $7,150 | $85,804 |
| 6 | $8,136 | $97,639 |
| 7 | $8,321 | $99,858 |
| 8 | $8,506 | $102,077 |
| 9 | $8,691 | $104,296 |
| 10 | $8,876 | $106,516 |
| 11 | $9,061 | $108,735 |
| 12 | $9,246 | $110,954 |
| 13 | $9,431 | $113,173 |
| 14 | $9,616 | $115,392 |
| 15 | $9,800 | $117,611 |
| 16 | $9,985 | $119,830 |
| 17 | $10,170 | $122,049 |
| 18 | $10,355 | $124,268 |
| 19 | $10,835 | $130,021 |
| 20 | $11,355 | $136,268 |
You must be a US citizen or in the US legally. If some household members are ineligible non-citizens, the household may still get help as long as at least one member is a citizen or eligible non-citizen. The state application asks for Social Security numbers for all applicants, except people applying as eligible non-citizens. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
Look at the monthly column, not the annual one. A slow month of income can matter, because EAP only looks at the last full calendar month before you sign.
What does the Energy Assistance Program help pay for?
EAP pays part of your heating and electric costs. Payments go directly to your utility company or to your fuel provider for propane, fuel oil, or wood. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program) Unless your application says otherwise, the benefit is split 70 percent to your main heating company and 30 percent to your electric company. It may pay only part of your bills, and you pay the rest. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
For the 2026 to 2027 program year, the primary heat benefit is an estimated $200 to $1,400. (Minnesota Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual) The state says initial benefits average an estimated $500 per household. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program) The amount is based on your actual energy costs when they are available, and the share EAP pays goes down as household income goes up. (Minnesota Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual)
There is also Crisis help for emergencies. Situations that may qualify include a heat or electric shutoff, a current disconnection notice, less than 10 days of pre-pay energy, a fuel tank under 20 percent with a vendor refusing to deliver, or a senior with a past due or current energy bill. (Minnesota Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual, Chapter 15)
| Energy type | Estimated Crisis benefit per request |
|---|---|
| Connected utilities (gas, electric) | The current balance, including fees, up to an estimated $600 |
| Delivered fuels (propane, fuel oil) | Up to an estimated $600, less any amount that would leave a credit |
| Self-supplied biofuel (wood, corn pellets) | An estimated $300 |
| Pre-pay or PayGo programs | An estimated $300 |
A household can get more than one Crisis benefit in a year, up to the program's Crisis maximum. Your service provider can tell you where you stand. (Minnesota Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual, Chapter 15)
If you have a shutoff notice, say so on your application and send a copy. Crisis help is handled separately from the regular benefit.
How do you apply for energy assistance in Minnesota?
You have two ways to apply. Apply online at mn.gov/home, or print the 2026 to 2027 Minnesota Energy Programs Application and email, mail, or deliver it with your documents to your local Energy Assistance service provider. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application) (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program) The paper form is also offered in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Russian, and Vietnamese. (Minnesota Commerce, EAP income guidelines)
The same application covers EAP, Weatherization, and the Energy Conservation and Optimization program. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
The deadline for the winter of 2026 to 2027 is May 31, 2027. Your application must be postmarked or received within 60 days of the date you sign it, and the state warns that funds may run out, so earlier is better. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program) (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application) If you disagree with the result, you can appeal within 30 days after it is sent to you. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
Applying is free. You submit your application yourself on the official site. Benefit Bull is free and never files for you.
Sign and date the last page, then send it within a few days. An unsigned form, or one that arrives more than 60 days after you sign, does not meet the rules printed on the application.
Who runs EAP where you live?
Commerce runs EAP with local service providers throughout the state. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program) To find yours, call 1-800-657-3710 or use the provider list by county or tribe on the Commerce EAP page. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
Call your service provider right away if your heat or electric is shut off or about to be, you cannot get a fuel delivery, or you own your home and your furnace is not working. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
Look up your provider before you fill anything out. Your provider is the one who processes your paper application and answers questions about your case.
What documents should you have ready?
The 2026 to 2027 application asks for: (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
- The completed application, signed and dated at the bottom of the last page
- Proof of gross income for every household member for the last full calendar month before you sign
- For Social Security, SSI, or veterans benefits: award letters, bank statements showing the deposits, or check copies
- For self-employment, farm, or rental income: your IRS 1040, including the signature page and Schedule 1
- For Minnesota Paid Leave: your Paid Leave determination letter
- A copy of your most recent energy bills or fuel receipt
- For eligible non-citizens: copies of both sides of immigration documents for each such household member
- If you have a shutoff or disconnection notice: a copy of the notice
EAP may use your Social Security number to check wages your employer reports, and may verify unemployment compensation for you. Send copies only, because originals are not returned. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
Match the income month to your signing month before you copy anything. The form asks for that one month only.
What other help can lower your energy bill?
Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule can protect your service from disconnection, or help get it reconnected, between October 1 and April 30. If you receive Energy Assistance, you pre-qualify for that protection. You still must contact your energy companies and make and keep a payment plan. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application)
The Weatherization Assistance Program may help even if your income is above the EAP limits. For details, the state lists mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/weatherization and 1-800-657-3710. (Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Energy Programs Application) For everyday ways to trim the bill, see 7 Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills.
If you receive EAP, call your utility and set up a payment plan you can keep. That is what turns on your Cold Weather Rule protection.
What Minnesota energy assistance numbers should you know?
- $3,205
- Official EAP monthly income limit, 1 person, FFY27
- $6,164
- Official EAP monthly income limit, 4 people, FFY27
- Up to $1,400
- Estimated maximum primary heat benefit, FFY27
- May 31, 2027
- Deadline to apply for the 2026 to 2027 winter
See which Minnesota programs may fit your household, with estimated values and official links.
Sources: (Minnesota Commerce, EAP income guidelines) (Minnesota Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual) (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program)
What this adds up to
A Minnesota family of four with income up to $6,164 in the month before applying may qualify for EAP, worth an estimated $200 to $1,400 toward heat this program year, plus Crisis help in an emergency. Your local service provider makes the decision, applying costs nothing, and the deadline is May 31, 2027.
Sources
Every claim above links to the source it came from. Figures checked October 2026. Last updated October 17, 2026.
- Minnesota Department of Commerce, Energy Assistance Program (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Commerce, EAP income guidelines (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Minnesota Energy Programs Application (PDF) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual, Chapter 15 Energy Vendors (PDF) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual (PDF) (accessed October 17, 2026)
