The Minnesota Department of Commerce has doubled the crisis benefits for its Energy Assistance Program as bills start arriving covering the brutal two-week cold snap that hit Minnesota in February.

The maximum crisis benefit for qualifying households has doubled from $600 to $1,200. Crisis benefits are used to cover past-due utility bills, for utility disconnections and for emergency fuel deliveries. The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program can help households pay energy bills, get reconnected or prevent energy disconnection, get fuel delivered or help repair or replace broken heating systems.

Those who haven’t already applied for this program still have time and both renters and homeowners can qualify to get energy assistance. The program serves households of four that earn less than $54,357 a year and single households that earn $28,266 or less.

New applicants have until May 31 to apply, however funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis. The Minnesota Commerce Department administers the program in partnership with 29 local service providers from throughout the state.

To apply for assistance, call (800) 657-3710 and press “1” or visit the Commerce Departments Energy Assistance program webpage at https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp.