Assistance from Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties.
Most people who call CAPRW for the first time don't know the full range of what they can get help with — they've heard about energy assistance, or maybe Head Start, but haven't realized the same organization can help them with a broken-down car, a SNAP application, or a path back to employment. This page maps out what Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties actually does, who qualifies, and which program to pursue first based on your situation.
CAPRW is a private nonprofit that has served the St. Paul area for decades, partnering with more than 60,000 residents in Ramsey and Washington Counties each year. Their main office is at 450 Syndicate Street N., St. Paul, MN 55104, and can be reached at 651-645-6445. A Washington County location serves Oakdale-area residents at 1101 Geneva Ave North, Oakdale, MN 55128. Program details and eligibility thresholds change year to year — verify current requirements before applying.
Energy Assistance — The Program Most People Start With
CAPRW administers the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for both Ramsey and Washington Counties, and it's the single largest thing they do — more than 20,000 households receive energy assistance through CAPRW Caprw in a typical year. That's a meaningful number in a region where winter heating bills can be genuinely dangerous if you can't afford them.
The program provides direct bill payment assistance averaging around $550 (funding can change yearly), and eligibility is based on household income up to 50% of the state median. You don't have to be in crisis to apply — the program is designed to help before things get bad, not only after a shutoff notice arrives. For energy bill help or to apply, call 651-645-6470, apply online at https://www.caprw.org/, or visit the St. Paul office. If you've already received a disconnection notice or are without heat, call immediately and let them know — that changes how urgently your case is handled.
CAPRW can also help with water bills for Saint Paul Regional Water Services customers through the same application process.
Emergency Furnace and Boiler Repair
This is one of the most locally critical services CAPRW offers, and it's not widely known. If your furnace or boiler breaks down during a Minnesota winter, all homeowners who qualify for Energy Assistance are also eligible for a free system evaluation by a trained technician. If repair or replacement is warranted, CAPRW either handles it directly or makes referrals to other agencies who can. To discuss an emergency heating situation, call 651-645-6470. Don't wait — this service is in high demand during cold months and operates on a case-by-case basis.
Energy Conservation and Weatherization
All Energy Assistance recipients are also eligible for free weatherization services — home energy audits, air sealing, insulation improvements, furnace efficiency upgrades, and more. The goal is to lower your monthly bills permanently, not just help in a crisis. CAPRW has provided these services for more than 30 years in the region. If you're already enrolled in Energy Assistance and want to discuss weatherization, call 651-482-8260.
Food Support — Free SNAP Application Help
CAPRW's Food Support Outreach Program offers free SNAP eligibility screening and application assistance to Ramsey and Washington County residents. If you're unsure whether you qualify, or if a previous application was denied and you don't understand why, this is a good place to start — staff can walk you through the process in your language. Call 651-603-5883 or email [email protected]. There's no cost and no obligation. They also offer referrals to free food shelves - pantries in Minnesota.
Car Repair Assistance — A Grant, Not a Loan
This is one of CAPRW's most distinctive programs, and one that fills a gap most people don't expect a nonprofit to cover. If you're employed and your car needs repairs you can't afford, CAPRW offers a one-time grant — money that does not need to be repaid — to cover repairs and maintenance costs. The reasoning is straightforward: a broken car can cost someone their job, which unravels everything else.
Eligibility requires that you live in Ramsey or Washington County, are employed, have a valid MN driver's license, own the vehicle, carry current insurance, and have household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Call 651-603-5880 or email [email protected] to find out if you pre-qualify before going through a full application.
Employment Services
For residents who are unemployed, underemployed, or looking to move into higher-wage work, CAPRW's Employment Services program offers case management, job training, and hands-on support from a staff member who works with you toward a specific career goal. Eligibility requires income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and a willingness to follow a goal plan with your case manager. Call 651-603-5880 or email [email protected] to apply or ask questions.
Head Start and Early Head Start
CAPRW operates Head Start for Ramsey County at no cost to families, serving children from birth through age five. Over 1,300 children are enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start through CAPRW Caprw each year. The program includes center-based and home-visiting options depending on the child's age, with a strong focus on school readiness, social-emotional development, and connecting families to health and nutrition resources. Early Head Start serves pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers; Head Start serves children ages three to five. Applications are available at caprw.org.
Housing — What CAPRW Currently Offers
The old picture of CAPRW as a broad housing assistance agency has changed significantly. Today, their direct housing work is more limited: a Rapid Rehousing program for single women experiencing homelessness, and a small portfolio of affordable rental units in established neighborhoods in both counties. Both programs currently have limited openings / often a waiting list as they close.
If you're experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis right now, you can look for rent payment help in Ramsey County. In addition, CAPRW's guidance is to contact 211 to be connected to Coordinated Entry, which assesses housing needs county-wide and matches people to available resources across the region. Call 651-603-5880 for a referral if you need help navigating that process.
How to Start
The right entry point depends on what you need most. For energy bills or a heating emergency, call 651-645-6470. For employment, car repair, or food support, call 651-603-5880. For Head Start enrollment, visit caprw.org. For anything else or if you're not sure where to start, the main line is 651-645-6445. If you're in Washington County, the Oakdale office at 1101 Geneva Ave North can also assist.
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