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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 4 Primary Heat Page 1 Chapter 4 Primary Heat Primary Heat benefits (“Primary Heat”) help low-income households maintain affordable and continuous home heat by subsidizing their energy costs. This chapter provides guidance on how to determine Primary Heat grant amounts and deliver benefits. Chapter Contents • What is Primary Heat? • Measuring Energy Costs • Measuring Financial Need • Determining Primary Heat Benefits • Primary Heat Payments What is Primary Heat? Primary Heat is the main benefit provided through EAP. When a household is approved for EAP, they are awarded a grant to help pay their energy costs. The size of a household’s grant is based on their energy costs and financial need. This grant is called “Primary Heat” because Minnesota’s LIHEAP funds have historically been used for heating assistance. However, Primary Heat benefits awarded are now based on all household energy costs, including non-heat electric costs. Federal law requires that Primary Heat payments be used for home energy costs. In most cases, Primary Heat benefits are paid directly to a household’s energy vendor on their behalf. Primary Heat benefits can pay for: • Current and future energy costs. • Past due bills and arrearages. • Delivered fuel or emergency fuel. • Removal of load limiters.