Assistance with Utilities: SE MN Programs to Cut Your Bills

Lena thought she had finally cracked the code on her monthly budget. She’d set up envelope budgeting in her checking account, stashed $20 each payday into a fledgling emergency fund, and even plugged every expense into our  Free Budget Calculator so she could watch every dollar march into place. Then February hit.

A surprise cold front kept her old furnace roaring 24/7, and the next energy bill ballooned to almost double what she’d planned. Groceries, Wi-Fi for her online classes, and the kids’ Back-to-School fund suddenly looked shaky. She needed assistance with utilities and fast. Here’s how Lena (and you) can turn scattered resources into one clear path to relief and long-term savings.

Secure Immediate Help: Energy Assistance Program

Before panic could set in, Lena printed the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) application from Semcac. Because she earns well below 50% of Minnesota’s state median income, she qualified for a one-time grant sent straight to her utility company.

• Grant size: Up to $2,000 toward past-due or upcoming bills

• Who qualifies: Homeowners and renters (yes, roommates too)

• How to move quickly: Sign the paper form. No e-signatures allowed. Hand-deliver or mail it. Questions? Call 1-800-944-3281.

Running her old bills through the free budgeting calculator on First Alliance's website helped Lena show the caseworker exactly how big the gap was. That made approval faster and less stressful.

Build a Budget That Works for You with Our Free Calculator

Press Pause on a Shut-Off Cold Weather Rule

While the EAP paperwork moved through the system, Lena called her gas provider’s automated line (800-889-9508) and activated a Cold Weather Rule payment plan. Minnesota law blocks heat disconnections from October 1 to April 30 as long as you keep up with the agreement.  Her payment was a manageable 10% of monthly income until the grant arrived.

If a family member had relied on medical equipment, she could have filed a one-page medical protection form for extra safety. Military families get similar coverage.

Layer Extra Support with HeatShare and 2-1-1

EAP didn’t wipe out every dime Lena owed, so she called 1-800-842-7279 to apply for the Salvation Army HeatShare program. Within a week, a $350 credit was applied to her utility account.

When grocery money also started running low, she texted her ZIP code to 898-211. A United Way 2-1-1 counselor connected her to a nearby food shelf and pointed out other government benefits she didn’t know existed.

Fix the House, Not Just the Bill with Weatherization

Relief is great, but saving money every month is even better. By checking one box on her EAP form, Lena enrolled in the  Weatherization Assistance Program. Contractors showed up in April, added attic insulation, sealed duct leaks, and tuned the furnace fan. These upgrades permanently reduced her energy use by an estimated 20%. The work didn’t cost her a dime.

Because she now received EAP, her utility also enrolled her in the Gas Affordability Program (GAP) and applied a low-income electric rate credit. These built-in discounts made her bills more manageable—no matter the season.

Gather and Save Your Paperwork

Utility help is rarely one and done. Lena took photos of her driver’s license, paystubs, lease, and her highest utility bill and saved them in a folder labeled “Utilities” on her cloud drive. When it’s time to reapply next winter, she’ll have everything ready without the last-minute scramble.

Turn Today’s Crisis into Tomorrow’s Cushion

With the shut-off crisis behind her, Lena redirected the $40 a month she used to overspend on utilities:

• Round Up Savings: Her debit purchases now auto-round to the next dollar, funneling spare change into a “Heat & Lights” stash.

• Holiday budget audit: Swapping old Christmas bulbs for LEDs shaved $22 off December’s bill.

• No Spend November challenge: Last year’s impulse-buy freeze funded an extra $160 for her emergency fund.

These small moves—plus a quick chat with a First Alliance coach about how to create a budget, gave Lena the breathing room to plan a budget couples vacation for spring and start teaching the kids about money in real time.

Why First Alliance Credit Union?

The main advantage of a credit union over a traditional bank is simple: your membership equals ownership. At First Alliance, that means you receive real support from a team focused on your financial well-being, not just account numbers.

We offer:

• Free financial planning tools like budgeting calculators and envelope budgeting worksheets

• Personalized, no-judgment coaching sessions to help you build an emergency fund, create a budget, or find solutions when money is tight

• Skip-a-Pay Program for eligible members with auto or personal loans, allowing you to defer up to two payments per year

• $1,000 No Hassle Loan, a short-term option to help manage unexpected expenses quickly and affordably

Our staff can help connect you with trusted community resources and walk you through flexible solutions to stay on track during difficult times.

Ready to Breathe Easier?

1. Print and submit your EAP application today.

2. Call 2-1-1 if an immediate shut-off looms.

3. Book a free budget check-up with First Alliance Credit Union to turn short-term fixes into long-term peace of mind.

Utility stress isn’t a personal failure, it’s a puzzle, and puzzles get solved faster with friends. Let’s solve yours together.