Semcac's service area: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Steele & Winona counties. Limited services in Goodhue, Olmsted, Rice & Wabasha.
Community Development : Energy Assistance
The Energy Assistance Program application for the October 1, 2011 - May 31, 2012 program year is now available. Households that received Energy Assistance last year will automatically receive an application in the mail. Households that have moved may call 1-800-944-3281 to have an application mailed or click on the link below (green box) for a printable application.
The Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program administered through the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The program provides financial assistance to help with a household’s winter heating bills. Both homeowners and renters may apply. A household must complete the application process to determine eligibility and the amount of their utility assistance. Financial assistance payments are made directly to the household’s utility company.
Whether a household qualifies for the program and how much financial assistance a household receives is determined by the household’s income, number of household members, and the amount of energy use of the home. Verification of the last three months of a household’s income is needed to apply. Income guidelines—50% of the State of Minnesota Median Income—are shown below for the October 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012 program year:
Household Size
Households' last 3 months of income at or below:
1
$5,596
2
$7,318
3
$9,040
4
$10,762
5
$12,484
6
$14,206
7
$14,529
8
$14,852
9
$15,175
10
$15,497
The Energy Assistance Program also provides the following:
Education to consumers regarding home energy efficiency and safety is provided.
Automatic application to Semcac’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
Crisis help for utility disconnections or necessary fuel deliveries
Emergency heating system repair or replacement.
Semcac also administers the Reach Out for Warmth program, which is available for households whose income is slightly above the standard Energy Assistance Program guidelines. Each September, the Minnesota Deptartment of Commerce sends applications for the upcoming heating season to the previous year’s applicants. Those households that did not apply the previous year may call Semcac to receive an application at 1-800-944-3281.
To receive assistance a household must apply for the Energy Assistance Program by calling 1-800-944-3281 for an application or download an application by clicking on the link to the right.
