Fuel Assistance Available

HARTFORD — State Representative Julia Wasserman, R-Newtown, announced state fuel assistance is available to eligible households. The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a federally funded program managed by the state Department of Social Services that provides financial assistance for payment of primary heat bill for households at or below 200 percent Federal Poverty Levels (FPL). Applications are taken and fuel deliveries ordered through local Community Action Agencies.

Amount of assistance depends upon household income, and whether heat is included in rent. Assistance is paid for the client directly to the energy vendor, except in the case of renters whose heat is included in rent. This group receives a direct payment.

To learn more about this program and the Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP), call 800-842-1132 or visit www.ct.gov/staywarm.

Rep Wasserman also noted there is additional help for Connecticut residents who are not eligible for governmental assistance. Operation Fuel is an independent, statewide interfaith program comprised of various constituencies, including religion, labor, business, utilities, government, the oil industry, and community agencies.

Operation Fuel is not an entitlement program. Eligibility criteria are determined by income guidelines and documented crisis. The program provides emergency energy assistance to households in crisis that have incomes from 115 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($29,026–$38,700 for a family of four) and therefore, make too much money to be eligible for public assistance. These working poor and fixed income families are unable to pay their bills due to sudden unemployment, illness, abandonment/divorce, death, and insufficient funds to meet basic needs.

Residents who qualify for funding can receive a maximum amount of $275 during the current heating season, which runs from December 1 through May 31. Funds are paid directly to the utility companies for energy bills. After May 31, people can apply for energy assistance for life-threatening situations. Most state programs shut down March 15, leaving residents with no option but Operation Fuel in the event of a cold snap in the spring, or shut-offs following the end of the moratorium restricting the utilities ability to deny service.

For more information, visit: www.operationfuel.org or call 860-243-2345.