Bridge to Benefits
Utility Assistance Stay Warm Minnesota The Stay Warm Minnesota campaign was launched to help every Minnesota family experience a safe and comfortable winter without having their home heating bills overtake the entire family budget. This website is full of useful information regarding energy efficiency and heating assistance programs provided by the federal and state government, private industry, non profits and our energy utilities. HeatShare 1-800-842-7279 HeatShare is a voluntary nongovernmental program of The Salvation Army that has been in existence since 1982.  HeatShare provides energy assistance on a year-round basis. Funds are used for natural gas, fuel oil, propane, electricity, and furnace checkup and repairs.  (Twin Cities area only for furnace repairs).   Weatherization 651-297-2545 The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) uses energy conservation techniques to reduce the cost of home energy by an estimated percent. Correcting health and safety hazards and potentially life-threatening conditions is the first consideration in WAP activities.   Households who are at or below 50 percent of the state median income are eligible.    All homeowners and renters who are income eligible for EAP are income eligible for WAP.    Priority is given to households with at least one elderly or disabled member and to customers with the highest heating costs.    This program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Energy.  Link-Up The federally-funded Link-Up program provides a discount on new service connection charges when installing new telephone service. The federal Lifeline and state Telephone Assistance Plan programs provide a monthly discount on your local telephone service. To qualify for these programs, telephone service must be in your name and you must have income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in qualifying public programs.