PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
Need help paying your electric bill?
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. Apply directly with the EAP provider for your county or tribe.
COVID-19 - Energy Assistance Update
The Minnesota Dept of Commerce Energy Assistance Program (EAP) has extended the deadline for households to apply for EAP benefits. This change allows EAP to serve the expected increase of households with the additional FFY20 federal funds allocated to Minnesota to assist with hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility period change
Starting April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020, households only need to provide one month of income proof. Applications signed on or after April 1 require only income proof from the last full calendar month to determine eligibility. This change helps households with a recent change in income apply for assistance without having to wait potentially months to become eligible.
Application deadline extended to July 1
Commerce EAP is extending the deadline for households to apply for EAP benefits to July 1. This change allows EAP to serve the expected increase of eligible households.
Crisis Benefits
In addition, MN EAP has announced temporary changes to their Crisis Benefit policy to ensure low income Minnesotans can access emergency benefits and not fall significantly behind on their energy bills. The changes are in effect April 7 to July 15, 2020. The changes include:
1. Income eligible households may be eligible for Crisis Benefits based on any unpaid past due balance, with the Crisis Benefit amount equal to the past due amount plus any current balance on the day verified up to the annual Crisis maximum. Past due is any prevoiusly unpaid balance beyond the current month's charges.
2. Increase Crisis Benefit Maximum Amount. Previously, EAP Crisis Benefit policy allowed for a maximum annual total Crisis Benefit of $600, regardless of the number of Crisis events. EAP has increased the Crisis Benefit maximum amount to $1,200 annually.
Learn more about the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program here.
Beltrami County Health & Human Services
616 America Ave NW, Suite #270
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-8300
Our department, in collaboration with other community partners, is dedicated to providing a broad array of benefits and services to individuals, families and communities. We work cooperatively to empower and support Beltrami County Citizens to ensure they enjoy healthy, safe, and self-sufficient lives.
Mailing Address: PO Box 519, Walker, MN 56484
Physical Address: 400 Michigan Ave, Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1340
Persons can apply in-person at either of our Human Services locations Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
301 Court Ave
Park Rapids, MN 56470
(218) 732-1452
The purpose of Hubbard County Social Services is to plan and administer an array of programs and services that are intended to protect and support families and individuals.
The Income Maintenance unit assists eligible persons with cash, medical and food assistance while the Social Service unit provides child and adult protective services and assists vulnerable and disabled persons achieve independence.
Community Resource Connections
716 Paul Bunyan Dr NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-0880
Community Resource Connections (CRC) serves the four county area of Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater and Hubbard Counties, serving as a referral source so that community service agencies effectively reach their intended clients. Membership benefits include facilitation of networking events, group marketing, consulting and involvement in an active list serve style communication system.
414 Lincoln Ave Se
Bemidji, mN 56601
(218) 444-1380
A non-profit organization of the Bemidji area working together to meet the emergency needs of homeliness and low-income individuals.
610 Patriot Drive NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 751-8223
Evergreen Youth & Family Services is a private, non-profit youth and family service provider. Evergreen offers services to youth and families in the greater Bemidji area. Services may include emergency food and shelter, transitional housing, community suicide prevention and more.
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households.
Apply directly with the EAP provider serving your county or tribe.
- Find Your EAP Provider
- Contact your EAP provider and have them send you an application.
- Mail your completed application to your EAP provider.
- For help finding your local EAP provider, call 1-800-657-3710.
EAP is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Grants are:
- For renters or homeowners
- For households with income at or below 50 percent of the state median income
- Based on energy cost, household size, and income
Services may include:
- Payment of energy bills
- Help with utility disconnections or fuel deliveries.
- Education on efficient and safe use of energy.
- Advocacy with energy suppliers and human service providers.
- Repair or replacement of homeowners' broken heating systems.
Click here to view the income eligibility guidelines
Minnesota Cold Weather Rule
The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is effective October 15 through April 15. The cooperative will follow the Cold Weather Rule guidelines prior to disconnecting a service for nonpayment. The utility does have the right to disconnect service if you do not contact your utility, set up a mutually acceptable payment pland and apply for protection with your utility company.
The requirements for protection are that a residential member meets the income guidelines as determined by the CWR, and makes timely payments according to the payment plan that is set up.
Military Service Personnel
Section 325E.028 of the Minnesota statues pertaining to utility payment arrangements for military service personnel outlines their rights and responsibilities effective August 1, 2007. A municipal utility, cooperative electric association, or public utility must not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer if a member of the household has been issued into active duty, for deployment, or for a permanent change in duty station during period of active duty, deployment, or change in duty station if residential customer meets criteria set forth in this statute.
Beltrami Electric's Cold Weather Rule/Military Service Appeal Procedure
If, prior to disconnection, a customer appeals a notice of involuntary disconnection, as provided by the utility's established appeal procedure, the utility must not disconnect until the appeal is resolved.
If you wish to appeal, submit a personal letter stating your situation and issues in the dispute to PO Box 488, Bemidji, MN 56619. Your letter of appeal must arrive at the Cooperative BEFORE the date of disconnection. You will be notified when the board of directors will review your appeal so that you may be present during it. No disconnection of service will take place during the appeal process.
If you would like a copy of these policies or forms sent in the mail, please contact the office at 218-444-2540 or 800-955-6083. An application without copies of income statements and proof of military orders overseas will be considered incomplete, resulting in the possibility of no shut-off protection.