Energy Assistance for Winter Heating Bills

Transcript

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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.

ANCHOR: Minnesotans receive energy assistance for winter. Then, a youth job training program gets state funding. And, a St. Paul Restaurant is named One of the Nation's Best.

I'm Gracie J.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, DEED, is investing nearly $5 million to help young people access workforce training and career opportunities. The Youth at Work Opportunity Grants will support 39 organizations serving youth of color, youth with disabilities, and young people facing economic or systemic barriers. Participants ages 14 to 24 will connect with training and good-paying jobs in high-growth industries. DEED leaders say the funding strengthens both communities and Minnesota's future workforce by helping young people build skills and pursue economic stability.

In today's main story, as temperatures go down, many families in the state look for assistance to cover energy bills, but applications for state programs can be confusing. Jose Ozoria helps to sort through the confusion.

Jose Ozoria: With winter now upon us, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging eligible households to apply now for energy assistance through Minnesota's federally funded Energy Assistance Program. Michael Schmitz, the director of the Energy Assistance Programs for the Department of Commerce, says the Minnesotans who need the assistance must apply now.

Michael Schmitz: It's really important for Minnesotans to take actions to stay safe and warm. Today it's a lot colder, and it's only going to get colder. To help people, we need to get those applications in so our local service providers can process them, and then we can start helping people pay for their heating bills, their electricity.

Jose Ozoria; Mr. Schmitz points out that even though federal funding for the program has been delayed due to the recent government shutdown, the department anticipates receiving funding matching that from previous years.

Michael Schmitz: So last year, we received $125 million. It typically takes about a month for us to get our award once the Congress passes a budget. So it does look like it'll be kind of a similar amount to what it was last year.

Nat Sound: In this section, please enter the company or utility name that heats your home. For let's say the City of Minneapolis, I get my natural gas and heating bill from Center point energy. I'll enter the name on the account and enter the account number.

Jose Ozoria: The Department of Commerce's website provides detailed information on the application process and the various energy assistance programs. However, there is a threshold for a household to be eligible.

Michael Schmitz: Our income threshold is 50% of the state median income. And what that means in more concrete terms, so for a family of four, you could earn up to about $71,000 per year and qualify for the program. And you know that dollar amount changes depending on how large or small your family size is.

Jose Ozoria: The amount provided to pay bills also varies based on this criteria.

Michael Schmitz: We're hoping to average around $560. But it can range to as much as $1,400, depending on how low your income is and or how high your energy costs are.

Jose Ozoria: Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program is not exclusive to homeowners.

Michael Schmitz: We do provide bill payment assistance to renters. Sometimes, if you might have just a bill in your electric bill in your name, you might be able to make a payment to your electric bill, if your heat's in your landlord's name. We have additional benefits for folks who are facing a disconnection, or for seniors who have a past due bill, you can get an additional crisis benefit. We also are able to pay for, you know, a delivery of wood or other biofuels, like corn pellets, those kinds of things.

Jose Ozoria: January 2025 marked the coldest air temperatures recorded in nearly four years in Minnesota, dropping anywhere near negative 10 to negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit. You can apply for the Energy Assistance Program online by contacting your local community action agency or by calling the program directly. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2026. For North Star Stories, I'm Jose Ozoria.

Anchor: You are listening to North Star Stories.

A St. Paul restaurant is getting national recognition. Joan's in the Park has been named to OpenTable's 2025 list of the Top 100 Restaurants in the country. The 40-seat restaurant earned its spot based on customer reviews and booking demand, not critic rankings. Joan's currently holds a five-star rating with more than 2,200 reviews. OpenTable says the annual list highlights restaurants diners love most, based on real customer experiences across the United States.

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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.