As Minnesota endures the cold winter temperatures, many families struggle with rising energy costs.
With home heating costs projected to rise more than 9% this season and increasing demand for energy assistance, thousands of households are turning to state-funded programs to keep the heat on.
Hennepin County has received 19,720 Energy Assistance Program applications so far this season, according to Tammy Alto, Energy Assistance Program coordinator.
“With the cold weather being so bitterly cold, the applications have ticked up,” Alto said. “That normally happens at this time of year.”
Last year, Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program served more than 125,000 households statewide, according to Michael Schmitz, director of Minnesota Energy Assistance Programs. Schmidtz added they are facing funding loss from the feds?
“We are currently down about 4% compared to last year at this time,” Schmitz said. “ It appears that we started getting behind during the last half of the federal shutdown in the fall, but have had strong program demand since the shutdown ended.”
The average EAP benefit statewide is about $560, according to Schmitz, though grants can reach as high as $1,400 depending on household income and annual energy use.
“Many people don’t want to take resources from someone more ‘deserving,’” Schmitz said. “If you are struggling to pay your bills and are qualified, Energy Assistance can help.”
Traverna Douglas is among thousands of Minnesotans who rely on the Energy Assistance Program to offset heating and electricity costs during winter.
Douglas, who works as a freelancer in theater, television and film, said income can fluctuate depending on available projects.
“The grant helps with electricity and gas,” Douglas said. “I live in a townhome, and it gives me that buffer when I have downtime in my work.”
Applying for assistance has become significantly easier in recent years due to the shift to online applications, Douglas said.
“The process has been incredibly easy,” Douglas said. “You can submit everything online on a computer or tablet. It’s streamlined so much compared to before.”
While Douglas praised the program’s financial impact and improved efficiency, she said one major weakness is the lack of personal connection between applicants and service providers.
“There’s a level of inhumanity in how applications are processed,” Douglas said. “They could do something that’s more case manager-like, where they could really build an intimate relationship with the clients.”
Douglas pointed to car repair assistance, auto repair services, financial education and even solar energy programs as examples of resources that could be better integrated.
“There are so many programs people don’t know about unless they research on their own,” Douglas said.
Douglas said improving coordination between programs could reduce long-term reliance on assistance.
“We all need resources right now,” Douglas said. “This program helps, and with better connection, it could help even more people get ahead.”
Alto said misconceptions often prevent people from applying. One common myth is that utility companies cannot disconnect service during winter.
“They sure can,” Alto said. “If someone isn’t on a cold weather protection plan or misses a payment, they can be shut off.”
Others, particularly seniors on fixed incomes, believe the program will run out of money or that they do not deserve help, Alto said.
“We have plenty of funding right now, and we encourage households to apply,” Alto said. “This program was designed for everyone who needs it.”
