Winter Energy Help Cut for 42,000 Minnesotans

An estimated 42,000 low-income Minnesotans who received public assistance to pay for energy and heat during last winter will not get it this year, after the federal government drastically cut aid to the states.

"It will have a severe impact on Minnesotans," said Mike Rothman, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Rothman's department may only get $73 million - down from last year's $152 million - for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, which helps needy Minnesotans pay for energy needs during the winter months.

Instead of helping the 172,099 Minnesotans given assistance during the winter of 2010, the money will only cover an estimated 128,000-130,000 this year; 1 in 4 who received help last year will not receive a dime this winter, state projections show.

Those who do get assistance will see the average payment cut by 20%, to $400, the MN Commerce Dept. said.

"It's the effort to stretch every dollar that we have to get it to the people who need it the most," Cmsr. Rothman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Click above to hear from Minnesotans affected by the cuts.

Click here and here for information on MN LIHEAP and how to apply, or call 1-800-657-3710..