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Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

Government shutdown delays energy assistance funds for low-income Minnesotans

A person uses their index finger to press a button on a digital thermostat, which reads 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
A federally funded program that provides hundreds of dollars to households for energy bills is without funding during the government shutdown. However, a Minnesota official said that people should still apply to make sure they’re covered when that funding frees up.
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As the temperature drops, utility bills go up and the federally funded programs that help Minnesotans reduce those costs are without cash at the moment.

“This program is is quite essential for folks who need it,” said Lissa Pawlisch an assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which runs the state’s energy assistance program. “A senior who’s really on that fixed income, without these dollars, they may not be able to pay that energy bill.”

The government shutdown has left the funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program on the table, awaiting authorization. The program, on average, provides hundreds of dollars to thousands of eligible households to help pay for energy bills.

Minnesota has a “Cold Weather Rule” that prevents heat from being cut off at the beginning of October to the end of April. However, that only applies if the resident has a payment plan in place with their provider based on their financial needs.

Being a part of the assistance program, for some households, will automatically put prohibitions on some utilities being cut off.

“It's absolutely essential for folks to sign up right now and get their applications in,” Pawlisch said. “Make sure that we have all of your paperwork taken care of so that we can start getting you those benefits as soon as we get the funding.”

The Cold Weather Rule does not apply if a household relies on fuel, oil, propane or wood for heat, but being a part of an energy assistance program can still help with covering those costs.

The deadline to apply for energy assistance during the winter of 2025-2026 is May 31, 2026, which is the last day of this year’s program.

Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.