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The GAP was established by the Minnesota Legislature and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to assist qualifying Minnesota Energy Resources customers in paying their natural gas utility bills. All customers qualifying for the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) will be considered for automatic GAP enrollment. GAP customers may receive assistance in two ways:
- Bill assistance based on a percentage of household income: An affordability credit will be applied each month to your bill. All GAP customers receive this credit. The amount is determined by comparing household income to the cost of service.
- Arrears forgiveness: If you have an unpaid or overdue natural gas utility bill at the time of enrollment, you are eligible to receive a credit applied to the past-due balance. In this situation, you would pay the current bill, minus the monthly affordability credit, plus 1/24th of the past due amount at the time you qualified for GAP. Each time you make a payment in full and on time, we will credit your account with an additional 1/24th of the beginning past due amount. This way, your past due balance can be paid off in manageable payments over two years.
When applying or reapplying for the EAP through the community action or social services agency in your community, ask what benefits you are eligible to receive and apply as early as possible. By getting the most EAP benefit as soon as possible, you will begin reducing the past due amount more quickly.
GAP eligibility
When you are approved for the EAP, your income information is reported to us. This data is stored securely and used only for the purpose of determining GAP eligibility.
Upon receipt of income information, we determine your past 12 months usage of natural gas. The total 12 months usage is compared to 3% of your reported annual income. If the bill for 12 months of natural gas usage is greater than 3% of your household income, you are eligible for enrollment in GAP.
After initial enrollment, we will review your account for GAP enrollment each year you qualify for EAP funding. Customers who continue to be eligible will have the monthly affordability credit recalculated each year. You may be removed from the GAP if 3% of your reported income is greater than the bill for the previous 12 months.
There is nothing customers need to do. We review eligibility each year, and if you are qualified, we will automatically re-enroll you in the program and you will continue receiving monthly credits toward your natural gas bill.
Maintaining GAP benefits
To remain eligible for GAP benefits, you must pay your bill on-time each month. Any GAP customer who fails to pay two consecutive monthly payments in full will be removed from the program. If you are removed from the GAP for nonpayment you will not be eligible to re-enroll until the next calendar year.
GAP customers must qualify for EAP assistance annually. If a customer has not qualified for EAP assistance 60 days before their GAP anniversary date, we will remind the customer to contact the community or social service agency partner. Customers should apply for EAP as early as possible. Enrollment begins Oct. 1 annually.
Opting out of GAP
To opt out of the GAP, contact us at 800-889-9508 or use this form.
Additional resources
For more information on the EAP go to https://www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/payment-bill/lieap. If you need assistance paying your electric bill, contact your electric utility to learn about programs they may offer.
If you have any questions about the EAP, call 800-889-9508.
