Energy Assistance Update
Semcac has received funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2026. Payments to utility vendors will begin the week of December 1, 2025 for all eligible and approved households, and those households will be notified by U.S. mail or email (remember to check your spam folder). For status inquiries, please visit mn.gov/home and select “When will my application be processed?” on the left side of the page; you will then need to choose your county and agency to check the current status of application processing. If you are facing a disconnect, have been disconnected, or have a fuel emergency (below 20%), please call Semcac Energy Assistance at 800-944-3281.
The Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program administered through the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The program provides financial assistance to help with household winter heating bills. Both homeowners and renters may apply. Assets, such as the home, are not considered in determining eligibility. A household must complete the application process to determine eligibility and the amount of their utility assistance. Electronic signatures are not accepted, please sign the application before you send. Financial assistance payments are made directly to the household’s utility company.
Income guidelines below.
Maximum Energy Assistance Program Income Guidelines (Oct. 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026)
For households size 1-16, based on 50% State Median Income (SMI). For households size 17-20, based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, below.
| Household Size | Annual Income | 1 Month Max. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $37,439 | $3,119 |
| 2 | $48,959 | $4,079 |
| 3 | $60,479 | $5,039 |
| 4 | $71,999 | $5,999 |
| 5 | $83,518 | $6,959 |
| 6 | $95,038 | $7,919 |
| 7 | $97,198 | $8,099 |
| 8 | $99,358 | $8,279 |
| 9 | $101,518 | $8,459 |
| 10 | $103,678 | $8,639 |
| 11 | $105,838 | $8,819 |
| 12 | $107,998 | $8,999 |
| 13 | $110,158 | $9,179 |
| 14 | $112,318 | $9,359 |
| 15 | $114,478 | $9,539 |
| 16 | $116,638 | $9,719 |
| 17 | $118,798 | $9,899 |
| 18 | $120,958 | $10,079 |
| 19 | $126,116 | $10,509 |
| 20 | $132,165 | $11,013 |
Emergency heating system repair or replacement (to owner-occupied EAP eligible households, only). To receive assistance a household must apply for the Energy Assistance Program. Click here for all energy assistance applications.
eap@semcac.org or Call 1-800-944-3281 for an application or with questions, or use our Semcac Message Center. If you have additional questions or concerns for the Department of Commerce, please visit their website, here.
Grant Information
- Grant Program: LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) through the Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Grantee Agency: Semcac
- Address: 204 S Elm Street, P.O. Box 549, Rushford, MN 55971
- Phone: 1-800-944-3281
- Email: eap@semcac.org
Leadership & Oversight
- Executive Leadership: Jennifer Hengel, Executive Director
- Grant Oversight: Melissa F., Energy and Housing Director and Nicole P., Energy Assistance Program Manager
To view a list of EAP service providers, listed by county, visit this page on their website.