With the approach of winter, it is important for people to know where to turn if they find themselves needing help with the expense of heating their homes. The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) offers a wide variety of services to support folks who may be having trouble making ends meet as we continue to recover from the economic fallout of the Covid pandemic. AEOA’s Energy Assistance Program provides financial grants that can be used to help cover the costs of residential heating bills for both homeowners and renters. Additional funds are available for energy related repairs and to help with crisis situations.
The Energy Assistance grants range from $200 to $1400, and are based on household size, income and fuel cost. Assets, such as the value of your home are not considered in determining eligibility.
There are monthly income guidelines that AEOA staff consider when giving out grants. A household consisting of one person cannot have a monthly income above $2,983. The monthly incomes for two, three and four person households are $3,901, $4,819 and $5,737, respectively.
Information on the AEOA website encourages people to contact them if they have received an energy shut-off notice or their service has been disconnected, if their fuel tank is at less than 20% and their fuel company requires payment to deliver fuel or If someone in their household is 60 or older and needs help paying energy bills. Households where the heating system is not working are encouraged to contact AEOA prior to contacting a furnace repair company.
The Energy Assistance Program is available to people living in St. Louis, Cook, Lake Counties, The Grand Portage Reservation and the city of Duluth. The application process is pretty straight forward and can be made online at Aeoa.org.
The mission of AEOA is to strengthen communities by providing opportunities for people experiencing social and economic challenges. The Agency also offers help with food access, senior/nutritional services, weatherization, MNSURE and other services. Visit AEOC online or call 218-749-2912 or 1-800-662-5711.
