Energy Assistance Program
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) Energy Assistance Program Serves Residents of Crow Wing County
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is an important resource to help income-eligible households manage their utility bills.
Tri-County Community Action (TCC) is our partner in providing weatherization assistance. For more information on weatherization, please refer to the Minnesota Weatherization Assistance Program website.
COVID-19 Update: Your Safety Is Important to Us!
In response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Energy Assistance is modifying how we are delivering our service to the public. The LSS East Brainerd office remains closed to ensure your safety and the safety of our employees. Energy Assistance will still be operating Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., via phone, drop box, mail, email and/or fax. We will also continue to have staff on-call on the weekends for emergency situations.
Energy Assistance Program Facts
- Renters and homeowners are eligible.
- Assets such as the home are not considered in determining eligibility.
- Grants range from $300 - $1,600, based on household size, income, and fuel cost
- The average grant is about $500
- In addition to the initial grant, additional crisis funds are available to:
- Help pay a past due bill or get an emergency fuel delivery
- Help homeowners get their broken furnace repaired or replaced
Submitting an Application or Additional Documents
If you have an application or additional documents that need to be turned in, we ask that you use one of the following methods:
- Phone: 218.829.5000 (press 1 for Energy Assistance)
- Request for application
- If you have questions about the program or if the request for information that you received can be answered over the phone.
- Drop box: A drop box is located on the backside of the East Brainerd Mall (716 E St, Brainerd, MN)
- Blank applications are available next to the drop box
- Any new application, request for additional documents or other information can be put in here.
- Mail: 716 E St, Brainerd, MN 56401
- Email: If you can scan documents or information, send it to: energy@lssmn.org
- Photos of documents do not always transmit clearly. For best results, use a scanner app if you are able. Some smart phones have a scanner already installed. Some additional scanner apps include:
- Tiny Scanner (Android and iOS)
- Scanner Pro (iOS)
- Photos of documents do not always transmit clearly. For best results, use a scanner app if you are able. Some smart phones have a scanner already installed. Some additional scanner apps include:
Eligibility
Homeowners and renters are eligible, and all fuel types qualify – even self-cut wood. Applications are accepted September 2021 through May 31, 2022. Eligibility is determined via a written application. Households that have been on the program automatically receive a new application in the fall.
2021-2022 Income Guidelines
Energy Assistance guidelines are based on 60% SMI.
Household Size |
Energy Assistance Program3 Month Income Guidelines |
|---|---|
| 1 | $8,809 |
| 2 | $11,520 |
| 3 | $14,230 |
| 4 | $16,941 |
| 5 | $19,651 |
| 6 | $22,362 |
Proof of gross income for the past three months is required for all household members except wages for children K-12.
Income is verified for a 3-month period prior to application, as follows:
Applications Signed in the Month of |
Gross Income Verification for the Month of |
|---|---|
| August 2021 | May, June July 2021 |
| September 2021 | June, July, August 2021 |
| October 2021 | July, August, September 2021 |
| November 2021 | August, September, October 2021 |
| December 2021 | September, October, November 2021 |
| January 2022 | October, November, December 2021 |
| February 2022 | November, December 2021, January 2022 |
| March 2022 | December 2021, January, February 2022 |
| April 2022 | January, February, March 2022 |
| May 2022 | February, March, April 2022 |
| June 2022 | March, April, May 2022 |
| July 2022 | April, May, June 2022 |
Application
View 2021-2022 Application PDF
Contact Us
To learn more, please contact us:
LSS Energy Assistance Program
716 E Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
Phone: 218.829.5000 | Toll Free: 800.829.5902
energy@lssmn.org
The Energy Assistance Program is funded by the State of Minnesota.
More information about the Energy Assistance Program and related topics