St. Paul, Minnesota — Today, state Representatives John Ward (DFL – Baxter) and Joe Radinovich (DFL – Crosby) announced that the Department of Commerce and the Department of Public Safety will be staffing a hotline to provide consumers a one-stop shop to help with questions about the available Energy Assistance Program and concerns about possible price fixing and price gouging.
The hotline number is: 1-800-657-3504 and will be taking calls from 9:00 am-4:30 pm.
“I encourage any Minnesotan needing energy assistance to call this hotline,” said Rep. Ward. “This is a great resource and a one-stop shop to get help.”
“We’re tough and we’re used to the cold, but if you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call this hotline,” said Rep. Radinovich. “The people on the hotline are here to help.”
The Commerce Department has increased Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) crisis payments to $1,000 for applicants currently heating their homes with propane and heating oil. This crisis funding will help reduce the financial burden of high heating costs for low income Minnesota households in your districts and across the state. Information on how to apply for crisis funds is available from the hotline or at mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumers/Heating-Assistance.
Other forms of assistance may be available through county social service programs, community-based organizations, and nonprofit agencies. See the Stay Warm Minnesota webpage for a list of resources.
Reps. Ward and Radinovich encourage constituents to contact them with any questions on the Energy Assistance Program. Rep. Ward can be reached by phone at 651-296-4333 or by email at rep.john.ward@house.mn. Rep. Radinovich can be reach by phone at 651-296-2365 or email at rep.joe.radinovich@house.mn.