Klobuchar and Smith announce significant federal funding to help Minnesotans with heating and energy costs this winter

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that Congress approved more than $18 million in federal funding to help Minnesotan families afford their heating costs and utility bills this winter.

“As Minnesota prepares for winter, families shouldn’t have to choose between heating their homes or buying other necessities,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will be critical to helping families and seniors across our state pay their energy bills and keep their homes warm. I’ll keep working to ensure Minnesotans have the support they need to stay safe this winter.”

“As global energy markets respond to the pandemic and Putin’s war in Ukraine, we need to make sure Minnesotans have the support they need to heat their homes this winter,” said Smith. “For low-income families, high energy prices can force an impossible choice between heating their homes and other essentials like rent, food, or medicine. I’m proud of our work to secure this funding, which will help families in Minnesota afford their heating costs and utility bills in the coming months.”

These resources will support the Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides families with payment assistance to support their home energy needs. More than 127,000 households in Minnesotans received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP last winter, with households receiving an average assistance benefit of $1,615. More information can be found by calling Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program at 1-800-657-3710 or by visiting the website energyhelp.us.