Energy Assistance Program
MAHUBE-OTWA’S Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance to pay a portion of a household’s heat and/or electric costs. In addition, the program offers emergency assistance for utility disconnection, education to consumers to ensure home heating energy efficiency and safety and providing emergency heating system repair or replacement for homeowners in eligible situations.
Grant Types
PRIMARY HEAT: Heating assistance is available to households who rent or own and whose income is at or below 50 percent of the state median income. The assistance you receive pays a portion of home energy and heating costs. Grants are based on household size, gross income, and the previous year’s energy costs. Grants are paid directly to your energy providers.
CRISIS PROGRAM: Households experiencing a heating or electric emergency may be eligible for additional crisis assistance. To be eligible for crisis services, a household must have a disconnection notice from a connected utility AND have attempted to set up Cold Weather Rule payment arrangements OR have a delivered fuel vendor requiring payment upon delivery.
ENERGY RELATED REPAIR (ERR): ERR funds are available to homeowners experiencing a life-threatening situation or a no-heat emergency due to a malfunctioning or nonfunctioning heating system. You must be approved for energy assistance to qualify for this program. Proof of home ownership is required.
Ten Benefits of the Energy Assistance Program
- It’s free!
- The average grant is $500.
- Local Energy Assistance Partners can help with your application!
- Grants are based on household size and income, and on utility costs for the previous season.
- Up to $1,400 in grants available per household – for heat and electricity bills.
- It works if you use electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil or biofuel.
- Grants are paid to your account at your utility company or provider. Accounts must be in the household member's name.
- The program is open to people who rent AND who own their homes.
- The program can assist with emergency fuel deliveries, when necessary, as well as emergency utility shut-offs and disconnection notices.
- Furnace repair or replacements to homeowners in qualifying situations should contact MAHUBE-OTWA first for assistance. MAHUBE-OTWA must be contacted to set up the event in order for it to be eligible for Energy Related Repair (ERR) program. Reimbursement of repairs/replacements not initiated by MAHUBE-OTWA is not allowable.
Have you submitted your application yet this season?
- A new application must be completed, dated and signed once per year in order to receive Energy Assistance.
- A new application must be submitted for each program year (Oct 1 to May 31) to:
MAHUBE-OTWA Energy Assistance Program
1125 West River Rd.
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
- Phone: 218-847-1735 or 1-888-458-1385
- Fax: 218-847-1388
- E-mail: eap@mahube.org
- By EAP online application: http://mn.gov/home
o How to apply from a phone, computer or tablet | video: https://youtu.be/hwI2sTRnqLE
o About the online application | video: https://youtu.be/04f-3ZEzLPU
- Department of Commerce website address: http://mn.gov/commerce/
- Applications in Large Print and additional languages can be accessed at the MN Dept of Commerce
If you have already applied, please be patient. Every application submitted will be properly processed. For emergency situations, if your heat or electricity is disconnected, your heating fuel is gone, or your furnace stopped running, contact your local Energy Assistance Program provider immediately.
Energy Assistance Program Service Provider Phone Number List
AFTER HOURS NO HEAT CRISIS LINE: 888-458-1385
Please note this phone is ONLY monitored after hours October 1 through May 1.
On-call staff monitor this phone twice daily on holidays, weekends, and after normal business hours. Please make sure you leave a message with your name spelled out, phone number to call you back, and a message with the emergency you are experiencing. This phone is monitored.
Program Manager: Kendra Lund - 218-847-1385x181
Program Director: Daniel Josephson - 218-847-1385x143
