Corona virus (COVID -19) update

We are committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity to you.


As COVID-19 continues to have an impact on all of us, I want to assure you that we are here to meet your energy needs. Our homes are more important than ever before, as we all prepare to spend more time there. With schools turning to distant learning, and a growing number of people telecommuting from home, we are here to keep the lights on for you.

While, we’d like to say it’s “business as usual,” there’s nothing “usual” about the current state of things. Our staff is just as vulnerable as anyone, so we are making adjustments to lower COVID-19 exposure risks. We’re doing that by encouraging our staff to work remotely whenever possible.

As our member, we’re asking for your help and understanding on a few items:
  • Our lobby is now closed to all visitors.
  • Our member service team is available via phone and online chat, Monday - Friday. Chat is available from 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and phones are open from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • If you are directly impacted by COVID-19, we do not wish to disconnect service. Please contact us to make payment arrangements if you are facing a financial hardship.
  • We are reducing exposure risk to ensure our line workers, member service representatives, and other critical staff continue to deliver reliable, responsive, and friendly service. Outages will still happen, and we will respond as always.
  • We have suspended offering new Wi-Fi thermostat installations.
  • If you need to make a payment, we have several options available, including paying online or by phone, using our payment drop box, or signing up for auto draft.
  • As a cooperative member, we encourage you to vote in the upcoming director elections. While our annual meeting will for the first time be closed to visitors other than director candidates, we will hold the meeting. Election results will be announced. Look for more details on our website as we get closer to the April 16 meeting date.

We are committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity to you. And, like every Minnesotan, we hold a view that this too will pass. Keep safe.

Greg Ridderbusch
Connexus Energy CEO

Temporary Changes to Energy Assistance Program

The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program has announced significant, temporary, changes to their Crisis Benefit policy as a result of COVID-19. The intent of these changes is to ensure low income Minnesotans can access emergency benefits and not fall significantly behind on their energy bills. These changes are effective for the remainder of EAP’s program year, starting April 7 and continuing through July 15, 2020.

The changes include:

  1. Change in Crisis Benefit Eligibility Criteria
    Previously, EAP Crisis Benefit policy required households with connected utilities to have an active utility disconnection or active disconnect notice to be eligible for Crisis Benefits.
    EAP has modified these requirements as follows:
    Income eligible households may be eligible for Crisis Benefits based on any unpaid past due balance with the Crisis Benefit amount equal to the past due amount plus any current balance on the day verified up to the annual Crisis maximum. Past due is any previously unpaid balance beyond the current month’s charges.
    Starting April 1, 2020, through the end of FFY20, households only need to provide one month of income proof. Applications signed on or after April 1 require only income proof from the last full calendar month to determine eligibility.
    This change helps households with a recent change in income apply for assistance without having to wait potentially months to become eligible.
  2. Increase Crisis Benefit Maximum Amount
    Previously, EAP Crisis Benefit policy allowed for a maximum annual total Crisis Benefit of $600, regardless of the number of Crisis events. For example, if a household received a Crisis Benefit of $400 in November, they would only have been eligible for up to $200 more in Crisis Benefits for subsequent Crisis events during the remainder of the program year.
    EAP has modified this amount as follows:
    EAP has increased the Crisis Benefit maximum amount to $1,200 annually.
    How households can apply for EAP
    • Application deadline is extended to July 1
    • To apply for EAP, households contact their local EAP service provider
    • Households find their EAP provider:
    • By calling 1-800-657-3710 & entering their zip code, or
    • On this list of service providers by county or tribe at Energy Assistance Program Service Provider List.
    • 29 local EAP service providers including Community Action Programs, counties, tribal governments and non-profits serve all areas of the state.
    • Find General Energy Assistance Program (EAP) information.

Small Business Resources

Hennepin County small business resource information:

https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/impacts/success-stories/Workforce-resources

More Small business MN resources here:

https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/employers/