The White House announced more than $129 million for Minnesota to put toward energy assistance programs—including payment or partial payment of utility bills or even ways for people to make their homes more energy efficient.
“It is just about to get cold, so we’re really excited to be able to help households,” said Michael Schmitz, director of the Energy Assistance Program through the Minnesota Department of Commerce. He said this money comes every year about this time and it’ll be used to help some 125,000 households this winter.
“We can actually make payments directly to your utility company,” said Schmitz. “Benefits for energy assistance average about $500, and I think that’s a really significant amount of money for folks who are struggling to pay their bill.”
Anyone with questions can go to the Department of Commerce’s website or can call (800) 657-3710 to find out more.
“We’re really encouraging both homeowners and renters who are struggling to pay their energy bills to act now to insure their homes are warm and safe this winter,” said Schmitz.