Payment Assistance

STEP 1. Find your Energy Assistance Provider.

‍STEP 2. Download an application (PDF)
OR
Contact your local Energy Assistance Provider and request an application
OR
Request an application online here.

‍STEP 3. Return your completed application to your local Energy Assistance Provider.

‍STEP 4. Your Energy Assistance Provider will take care of the rest.

EAP eligibility is based on the three most recent months of income.

1. It’s free!
2. The average grant is over $500.
3. Local Energy Assistance Providers can help with your application.
4. Grants are based on household size, income and utility costs.
5. Up to $2,000 per household – for heat and electric bills.
6. May also pay off your entire past due water/wastewater bill!
7. It works if you use electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil or biofuel.
8. Grants are paid directly to your account at your energy company – we do it for you!
9. The program is open to people who rent OR own their homes.
10. We can also arrange emergency fuel delivery, and repair or replace homeowners’ broken heating systems.

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is effective October 1 through April 30. The cooperative will follow the Cold Weather Rule guidelines prior to disconnecting a service for nonpayment.

A household may receive Cold Weather Rule protection if a proposed disconnect would affect the main heating source of the home, the household income is at or below 50% of the state median income, and the member agrees on a payment plan with the cooperative.

Roseau Electric would rather work with members on an agreed upon payment plan than disconnect an electric service.

Section 325E.028 of the Minnesota statutes pertaining to utility payment agreements for military service personnel outlines their rights and responsibilities effective August 1, 2007. A municipal utility, cooperative electric association or public utility must not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer if a member of the household has been issued into active duty, for deployment or for a permanent change in duty station during period of active duty, deployment or change in duty station if residential customer meets criteria set forth in this statute.

If, prior to disconnection, a member appeals a notice of involuntary disconnection, as provided by the utility's established appeal procedure, the utility must not disconnect until the appeal is resolved.

If a member chooses to appeal, they must submit a personal letter of appeal stating their situation and issues in the dispute. The letter of appeal must arrive at the cooperative before the date of the proposed disconnection. The appeal will be reviewed by the cooperative to determine a fair and reasonable resolution to the dispute. The resolution will be presented to the member and agreed upon by both the member and the cooperative in order to resolve the appeal. No disconnection of service will take place during the appeal process.