Energy Assistance Program
2024-2025 Energy Assistance Program
MAHUBE-OTWA's Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance to pay a portion of a household's head 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, 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. You must be approved for energy assistance and a primary heat grant does not resolve the situation.
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.
Applications for Energy Assistance are accepted from October 1st through May 31st each year. Applications are available online, to print or can be picked up at any of our 5 office locations. To request an application by mail or for questions about the program, call MAHUBE-OTWA's Energy Assistance Program at 1-888-458-1385 x809 or request an application at MN Dept. of Commerce Energy Assistance Program. Applications are available in English, Español, Hmoob, Soomaali, and Tieng Viet.
Ten Benefits of the Energy Assistance Program
- It's free!
- The average grant is $550.
- Local Energy Assistance Partners can help with your application!
- Grants are based on household size, income, and utility costs.
- Up to $1,400 per household - for heat and electric 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 - we do it for you!
- 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 for it to be eligible for the Energy Related Repair (ERR) program. Reimbursement of repairs/replacements not initiated by MAHUBE-OTWA are not allowable.
- A new application must be completed, dated, and signed once per year to receive Energy Assistance funding.
- A new application must be submitted for each program year (October 1st to May 31st) to:
MAHUBE-OTWA, 1125 West River Road, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
- By Phone: 218-847-1385 or 1-888-458-1385 x809
- By Fax: 218-847-1388
- By Email: eap@mahube.org
- By EAP online application: MN Dept. of Commerce Energy Assistance Program
- By EAP application: Fillable English Application
- Applications in additional languages can be accessed at MN Dept. of Commerce Energy Assistance Program
- Applications in large print are provided by your local Energy Program Service Provider
- Department of Commerce Main Page: MN Department of Commerce
Helpful Videos
How to apply from a phone, computer, or tablet: https://youtu.be/hwI2sTRnqLE
About the online application: https://youtu.be/04f-3ZEzLPU
If you have already applied, please be patient. Every application submitted will be properly processed. In emergency situations, if your heat or electricity is disconnected, your heating fuel is gone, or your furnace stops running, contact your local Energy Assistance Program provider immediately.
Energy Assistance Program Service Provider Phone Number List
AFTER HOURS NO HEAT CRISIS LINE: 1-888-458-1385 x809. Leave a message. This line is not actively answered but is monitored regularly. We will call you back.