IVANHOE, Minnesota (STPNS) -- Energy Assistance funds available
Western Community Action would like to announce the appropriation of additional Energy Assistance funds. If you have not yet applied for assistance with your energy bills, please contact our agency for an application. The Minnesota Department of Commerce ? Energy Program has extended the Energy Assistance deadline to apply for funds from May 31, 2006 to July 15th, 2006.
If you have already received assistance this year, but are experiencing a shut off or a refusal to deliver, you may be able to obtain additional funding by entering into a Reasonable Payment agreement with your energy vendor. If you are finding yourself in this situation, please contact Western Community Action for assistance. For those of you who will not be applying for funds, what about your parents; your siblings or family members?
The following information outlines the purpose of the Energy Assistance Program in addition to the eligibility guidelines. The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay home heating costs for those households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs. Energy grants can range from $100 to $1,000, this being dependent in income and energy consumption of your home.
*Households who are at or below 50 percent of the state median income are eligible
*Size of grant is based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage
*Households with the lowest income and highest fuel costs receive the highest grants
*Federally funded through U.S. Department of Human Services



*Funds are available for renters or homeowners
Services include:
*Provide direct payment to the energy supplier
*Educate consumers to use home heating energy efficiently and safely
*Advocate with energy suppliers and human service providers on behalf of consumers
*Crisis help for utility disconnections or necessary fuel deliveries
*Emergency heating system repair or replacement
Please contact Western Community Action at 507-537-1416 or 800-658-2448 for further information or simply to request an application. Western Community Action is committed to helping people, changing lives and eliminating poverty in the counties of Lincoln, Lyon, Cottonwood, Jackson and Redwood.