Help paying your electric bill in Minnesota
Minnesota got $125.3 million in the HHS table, about $55 for each of its 2,282,967 households. Income limit 50% of state median income; public line 1-800-657-3710. Heating help reached 130,023 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Minnesota
- Minnesota LIHEAP public line1-800-657-3710
- State program sitemn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energy-assista
- Minnesota Public Utilities Commission800-657-3782 · 651-296-0406 · mn.gov/puc · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Minnesota
Minnesota: cold weather by dates; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | October 1 - April 30 |
| Health or age needs | "If the loss of utility service could lead to a medical emergency in your home, you should advise the utility of your medical condition. Ask the utility if it has special paperwork for you to fill out to exercise your rights under this law. You should be... |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites 2023 Minnesota Statutes; Utility Disconnections.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Minn. Stat. § 216B.096 (investor-owned) and § 216B.097 (municipal and co-op). Minnesota's cold weather rule runs October 1 to April 30. Investor-owned utilities (216B.096) may not disconnect heating service for households at or below 50% of state median income who keep a payment agreement capped at 10% of income; others get a payment agreement too. Co-ops and municipals follow 216B.097. Appeals go to the commission. Quote: “must reconnect utility heating service of a customer whose household income is at or below 50 percent of the state median income”. Source: text of the rule (state official).
| Point | Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 216B.096 (investor-owned) and § 216B.097 (municipal and co-op) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Cold weather period October 1 to April 30. 216B.096 subd. 5: utility may not disconnect and must reconnect utility heating service of a customer at or below 50% of state median income who makes reasonably timely payments under a payment agreement (utility cannot require more than 10% of household income toward current and past heating bills). Subd. 10: customers above 50% SMI have right to a payment agreement considering circumstances and may not be disconnected if they pay on it. 216B.097 gives municipal/co-op customers a parallel Oct 1-Apr 30 protection for primary heat source if income at or below 50% SMI, agreement, and referrals. |
| Heat | no hot-weather protection found in the text read |
| Who is protected | Low-income households (50% SMI; deemed eligible if receiving energy assistance); no deposit or delinquency charge for customers with an agreement or an appeal (subd. 7(b)). No medical-certificate rule in these sections. Disconnection not before 10 working days after first-class mail of notice (7 working days if personally served); no Friday (unless personal contact and payment agreement offered), weekend, holiday or day before holiday; occupancy investigation required. |
| Notice | 216B.096 subd. 4/7: commission-approved notice by personal service or first-class mail with date, amount due and summary of rights; disconnection not earlier than 10 working days after mailing or 7 working days after personal service. 216B.097 subd. 3: municipal/co-op not until 30 days after mailing or 15 days after personal delivery. |
| Payment plan | Subd. 5: payment agreement based on household financial resources, cap of 10% of household income toward current and past bills; modification allowed; service restored within 24 hours (reasonable efforts); agreement ends with cold weather period unless extended. |
| Who the rule covers | 216B.096: residential customers of a 'utility' = public utility under 216B.02 and co-ops electing public-utility status; also municipal/co-op for nonresident consumers or certain complaints. 216B.097 covers municipal utilities and electric co-ops. IOU Cold Weather Rule is therefore in 216B.096 (statute), not only a rule. |
| Complaints | Customer may appeal to the Public Utilities Commission within 7 working days of personal notice or 10 working days of mailed notice; commission decides informally within 20 working days; no disconnection pending appeal (subd. 8). Phone not read. |
Utility tariffs, Minn. Rules chapter 7820 (nonpayment-year-round rules) and Minn. Stat. 216B.098 were not read; mn7820.1800 fetch produced no usable text.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Minnesota: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Minnesota | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $125,349,065 = $110,937,562 + $1,804,075 IIJA + $12,607,428 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Crisis, and Weatherization: 50% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines for households with 7 or more members. | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $200 minimum, $1,400 maximum Crisis: $600 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 130,023 Winter Crisis: 44,937 Weatherization: 2,346 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - May 31 Crisis: October 1 - July 1 Weatherization: year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVMinnesota in numbers
- Minnesota ranks 9th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($55), 49th on households below the poverty line (9.4%) and 42nd on low-income energy burden (7.4%).
- Per household below the poverty line (215,597 of them) the FY26 funds come to $581, rank 6th of 51: 41% of a typical year's electricity ($1,410). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 127,784 households got help in FY2022 against 611,379 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 21% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $1,105, 78% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - May 31. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $45 (Iowa) to $73 (North Dakota); low-income burden from 7.4% (Wisconsin) to 9.6% (South Dakota). Minnesota: $55 and 7.4%.
Where Minnesota's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Traverse County 17.4% (556 households); Renville County 16.1% (2,010 households); Lake of the Woods County 16.1% (647 households); Murray County 15.6% (1,136 households).
- Most low-income households: Hennepin County 126,070 (5.3%); Ramsey County 64,330 (5.2%); Dakota County 33,400 (5.2%).
87 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Minnesota?
Minnesota sets its limit at 50% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $87,556.
How heavy is the energy bill in Minnesota?
7.4% of income in low-income households, 2.3% overall. Ranking, Minnesota prices.
| Group | Count | Minnesota detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 611,379 households | 7.4% of income; $1,837 a year on $24,818 | rank 42 of 51 |
| All households | 2,256,126 households | 2.3%; $2,379 on $104,811 | rank 34 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 215,597 households | 9.4% of 2,282,967 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 49 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 15.82 ¢/kWh | bill $117 a month at 742 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Minnesota
- As a result of legislation passed in 1994, Minnesota requires that electric companies serving over 200,000 residential customers provide a 50 percent discount for low-income customers on the first 300 kilowatt hours consumed each...
- Minnesota Energy Resources Gas Affordability Program Qualified customers can receive assistance paying their monthly natural gas utility bills through a discount based on a percent of household income and arrears forgiveness. The program is available to...
- Minnesota Power Customer Affordability of Residential Electricity (CARE) CARE offers LIHEAP-qualified homes a discount on monthly electric bills. Once qualified for LIHEAP, customers of Minnesota Power must complete the CARE program application....
- Xcel Energy Power On and Gas Affordability Program Energy CENTS Coalition offers low-income households in Minnesota the opportunity to receive a discount on a portion of their monthly electric bill (through the POWER on program) and monthly...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Agralite Electric Coop, Alliant Energy, Benco Electric Coop, CenterPoint/Minnegasco, Great Plains Natural Gas, Kandiyohi Power Coop and 5 more.
Minnesota on the map
Next to Minnesota
Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin. Most FY26 funds per household: North Dakota, $73. Minnesota: $55. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Minnesota
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Minnesota Public Utilities Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-800-657-3710 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 800-657-3782.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Minnesota?
Call 1-800-657-3710. Site: https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energy-assistan...
Can Minnesota utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; none listed for heat. October 1 - April 30
How big is the energy burden in Minnesota?
7.4% of income for low-income households, 2.3% for all; $1,837 a year for the first group.
How many Minnesota households got energy help?
127,784 in FY2022, 130,023 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $1,105.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Minnesota bill?
$581 per poor household, 41% of $1,410.
How much LIHEAP money does Minnesota get?
$125.3 million in FY2026, $55 per household, rank 9 of 51.
What income limit does Minnesota use for LIHEAP?
50% of state median income; median household income $87,556; FY2022 heating standard 256% for four.