Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Introduction
We all know that that trying to make it through the
winter cold without adequate home heating and
utilities can be life threatening. Fortunately there are
a number of sources of funding, including state-run
services, to help pay for heating bills when low-
income, elderly or disable households cannot afford
them. We also know that the summer’s heat can be
just as dangerous as the winter’s cold, especially for
those with health problems, the elderly and the very
young. Though there are fewer sources of funding for
summer utilities, some states, cities and local
organizations have activated plans for emergency
funding for these needs. Below is information about
your right to utility and fuel services and about
programs which can provide emergency funds during
the winter, summer or both.
Deliverable fuels, such as oil, propane, coal and wood, have fewer limitations on shut-offs or refusals to deliver
services. There are usually competing deliverable fuel companies, however, that may provide services.
Also, if your heating is included in the cost of your rent, landlords are required to maintain a minimum
temperature of 65 degrees (year round).
Electric Utilities: Protection from a winter shutoff is available to low-income electric utility customers by
applying each fall to their electric company for "hardship" status. "Hardship" customers cannot be shut off
between November 1 and May 1, even if they owe the company money. If electric service is shut off, the utility
must turn it back on by November 1, even if the customer is unable to make a payment.
Gas Utilities: Protection from a winter shutoff is available only to low-income gas heat customers by applying
each fall to their gas company for "hardship" status. "Hardship" heating customers cannot be shut off between
November 1 and May 1, even if they owe the company money. If gas heating service is shut off, whether the
utility must turn it back on by November 1 depends on the customer's situation:
• If you did not ask to have gas service kept on the prior winter as a "hardship" case, then the gas
company must turn the gas back on by November 1, even if you are unable to make a payment.
• If gas service was not shut off the prior winter because you were a "hardship" case, then the gas
company does not have to turn your gas back on by November 1 unless you have paid the lowest of the
following amounts since the prior November 1: $100 or 20% of the amount you owe when the gas was
shut off (not the amount of the final billing after the shutoff); or the minimum payments under your
payment agreement with the utility company.
All electricity and gas public service companies are required by statute to operate a past payment forgiveness
program for gas heating customers. An arrearage forgiveness program means that some of your back debt (bills)
will be forgiven in exchange for making regular payments on your bill. Households are put on a budget plan. As
long as you make the payments agreed to in the budget plan, your back bills will be erased or forgiven. Your
utility bill can be reduced to $0 in the arrearage forgiveness program, but it cannot result in a credit on your
account. There are two parts in the arrearage forgiveness program:
Eligibility Requirements
• Balances of $100 or more that are 60+ days overdue
• Must have income at or less than 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Must have had at least $25 paid toward bill by LIHEAP (or other assistance program).
Service Areas:
Connecticut State
2
Specific Utilities Company Programs:
• NUSTART
Customers can reduce or eliminate their past-due balance if they pay an agreed-upon budgeted amount
on time, each month. Eligibility: past balances of $100 or more that are 60+ days overdue, income of
less than 200% FPG, and have had at least $25 paid toward bill by LIHEAP (or other assistance
program).
Call: 1-800-286-5844
3
3. Southern Connecticut Gas
• Forgiveness Program
Residential customers covered by the Winter Protection Program and who heat by electricity may
qualify for UI’s Forgiveness Program. If you qualify, UI will work with the customer to develop a
monthly budget agreement. If the customer keep that agreement, UI will match the customer’s payments
to reduce back balance.
• UI customers may qualify for temporary suspension of collective action and disconnection of electric
service if the customer is called into active duty in the U.S. military.
5. Yankee Gas
Minimum benefit level is $650. A “vulnerable” household may receive more basic benefits than a “non-
vulnerable” household. A vulnerable household (Households which have one or more members who are age 60
or over, or who have a disability, or are under the age of 6) may be eligible for up to $925 in basic winter
heating benefits this winter, compared to $885 for a non-vulnerable household. For renters whose heating is
included in the cost of rent, the basic benefits amount is $425 to $455.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must have incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Applicants must provide proof of income and assets for all household members who may reside with
them, for the four weeks prior to the application date.
• If natural gas or electricity is the heating source, you must provide a copy of that bill which must be in
the applicant's name or a household member who is of majority status, or an emancipated minor.
• For homeowners, the first $10,000 in liquid assets, and for other households, the first $7,000 in liquid
assets, is not considered. Any amount over that limit, when added to the annual gross income must be
below the income guidelines.
• If the household’s primary heating costs are included in your rent and you pay more than 30% of your
income towards rent, you may also apply for assistance.
• Must re-apply every year
5
Service Areas:
Connecticut State
Program Year:
Beginning of November – End of May, Applications accepted beginning in Sept/ Oct
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must have incomes at or below 60% of State Median Income
• Applicants must provide proof of income and assets for all household members who may reside with
them, for the four weeks prior to the application date.
• If natural gas or electricity is the heating source, you must provide a copy of that bill which must be in
the applicant's name or a household member who is of majority status, or an emancipated minor.
• For homeowners, the first $10,000 in liquid assets, and for other households, the first $7,000 in liquid
assets, is not considered. Any amount over that limit, when added to the annual gross income must be
below the income guidelines.
• If the household’s primary heating costs are included in your rent, you may also apply for assistance.
• Must re-apply every year
Service Areas:
Connecticut State
Program Year:
Beginning of November – End of May, Applications accepted beginning in Sept/ Oct
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must have incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or up to 200% of the Federal
Poverty Guidelines for elderly and/or disabled households that meet the criteria
• Available to CHAP households with incomes up to 60% of the State Median Income
• Must have been CEAP or CHAP recipient who has exhausted their basic benefits and are unable to
secure primary heat
Service Areas:
Connecticut State
Program Year:
Beginning of November – End of May, Applications accepted beginning in Sept/ Oct
6
D. Safety Net Services- Winter ONLY
Subject to the availability of funds, the state will implement a Safety Net Program to address the heating needs
of CEAP deliverable fuel-heated households who have exhausted their Basic Benefits and Crisis Assistance
Benefits and are in a life-threatening situation. Eligible households may receive up to $625 in additional Safety
Net Assistance Benefits.
Households requesting Safety Net Assistance Benefits must be interviewed by a case manager and must
complete a risk assessment determination. This process involves a review of the household’s income, liquid
assets and expenditures. If the case manager determines that the household has insufficient resources to cover
the cost of the fuel delivery on it’s own, then efforts will be made to assist the household in obtaining shelter
with adequate heat and, as a last resort, emergency fuel delivery may be authorized.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must be eligible for CEAP benefits and defined as a “vulnerable” household by CEAP standards (see
above). Safety Net Assistance benefits are not available for CHAP households.
Service Areas:
Connecticut State
Program Year:
Beginning of November – End of May, Applications accepted beginning in Sept/ Oct
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must be eligible for CEAP benefits and defined as a “vulnerable” household by CEAP standards (see
above). Safety Net Assistance benefits are not available for CHAP households.
Service Areas:
Connecticut State
Program Year:
Beginning of November – Mid-March, Applications accepted Sept through May
To Apply: Contact your local Community Action Agency (Also see page 13)
7
• Bristol Community Organization, Inc. (860) 582-7490
• Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. (860) 223-2288
• Community Renewal Team, Inc. (Hartford area) (860) 560-5800 or 1-800-798-3805; (Middletown area)
(860) 347-4465 ext.223 or 224
• ACCESS, Inc. (Willimantic - Danielson area) (860) 450-7423
• Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (Norwich-New London area) (860) 425-6681
• New Opportunity for Greater Meriden (203) 235-0278 (sponsored by New Opportunities, Inc.)
• Community Action Agency of New Haven, Inc. (203) 387-7700
• TEAM, Inc. (Derby-Ansonia-Shelton area) (203) 736-5420
• Action for Bridgeport Community Development, Inc. (203) 384-6904
• Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Incorporated (203) 899-2484
• CTE, Inc. (Stamford area) (203) 352-4846
In most instances, eligible families have incomes at 151 to 200% of the federal poverty level. The maximum
available Operation Fuel assistance is determined each year but is generally $400-$500 per household during
the heating season. Payments are made directly to the company that supplies the household with the heating or
utility services.
Operation Fuel funds are available during a winter program and a summer program. The summer, or “Off-
Season,” program provides funding for non-heat utilities including electricity, air-conditioning and hot-water.
Off-Season funds are limited, so funds are given to priority applicants who are in an emergency or “vulnerable”
position, as defined below. Maximum grant amount for Off-Season funding is $150.
Eligibility Requirements:
• For Winter Program, applicant must either be ineligible for CEAP or SAFA (see above) by exceeding
income restrictions or have exhausted their benefits
• In most cases, applicants must have incomes between 151% and 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
• An exception may be granted to a household in a financial crisis. This could be the inability of a family
to pay for a deliverable fuel or a thirty-day outstanding gas or electric bill or when a family must choose
between paying for their energy needs, buying food, paying the rent or mortgage, or paying medical bills
as a result of unemployment, illness, death, or other emergencies. An exception household must have
income lower than 60% of the state median income
• For summer or “Off-Season” funding, applicant must have received a utilities shut-off notice, indicating
an “emergency” situation. Must provide copy of or evidence of utilities bill and shut-off notice in the
name of the applicant or member of applicant’s household. Operation fuel is for emergency funding
situations, and not intended to pay regular month bills.
• For Off-Season funding for non-heat utilities, applicant’s household must be a low-income home
consisting of members in a “vulnerable position.” “Vulnerable” is defined as elderly (ages 65 and up),
under 6 years old, disabled or in need of electricity, air-conditioning or hot-water for medical reasons.
8
Service Areas:
Applications and funding are available through local fuel banks, which serve most of Connecticut. The
list of participating fuel banks changes each year, so visit www.operationfuel.org often to see the most
up-to-date list.
Program Year:
Winter Program runs from December 1st until May 31st
Off-Season/ Summer Program begins July 1st and continues until funds run-out
Contact Information:
Operation Fuel, Inc.
Address: One Regency Drive, Suite 200
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone: 860-243-2345
Fax: 860-726-9310
Toll Free: 800-354-7199
Website: www.operationfuel.org
Emergency needs include utility shut-offs, foods not attainable through a food bank and other emergency
situations. Emergency utilities assistance funds provide emergency assistance to pay for electricity, electric
heat, heating oil and gas payments and basic telephone service. Applicants must apply for assistance through a
case manager from the Greater Hartford TGA. Consumers must apply for other available utility assistance
programs and have made a good faith effort to pay their bills. For electric heat and heating oil assistance
consumers may be referred to the local Community Action Agency Energy Assistance Program. Consumers
may also be referred to the utility companies’ forgiveness program. Cellular telephones are reviewed on a case-
by-case basis with a cap of $40 towards current basic service for persons who do not have a landline telephone
service.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must have a HIV or AIDS diagnosis and show proof by documentation.
• Must have incomes at or below 300 % of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Incomes from all household
members are counted toward eligibility as well as income from entitlement programs such as State
Administered General Assistance (SAGA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). A household can include family members, a spouse, partner or
non-family members that reside together.
• Applicants must apply through a case manager.
• Persons receiving assistance from the Connecticut Aids Resource Coalition Emergency Housing Fund
must pay more than 40 percent but less than 80 percent of their income toward rent.
• In cases where the client is affected by AIDS rather than infected, the service(s) must be intended to
provide direct benefit for the infected individual (s)
• Resident(s) of the Greater Hartford Transitional Grant Area (TGA).
9
Service Areas:
Hartford County, Middlesex County, and Tolland County
Program Year:
Year round, depending on the service.
Contact Information:
For more information, assistance with case management services or to apply:
Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition (CARC)
Address: 20-28 Sargeant Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Phone: 860-761-6699
Fax: 860-761-6711
Email: info@ctaidscoalition.org
Website: www.ctaidscoalition.org
Eligibility Requirements:
• Applicant must reside in Connecticut. Any spouse or children (must be under age 18) must reside with
the applicant. (If Veteran is incapacitated, spouse or child may be able to file for them. Spouse or minor
children of deceased Veteran may also be eligible for assistance with additional documentation.)
• You must have served a minimum of ninety (90) days on active duty during a statutory wartime period
as specified in the Connecticut General Statutes unless you were discharged prior to the completion of
90 days service for a service-connected disability which has been rated by the Veterans Administration.
You may qualify if you served for the full duration of a conflict in a combat or combat-support role if
the war, campaign or operation lasted fewer than 90 days.
• Must have been honorably separated from military service.
• Must provide social security numbers for persons applying for aid (if applicable spouse/children),
documentation of need, proof of honorable termination of military service (i.e. DD-214 or the
equivalent).
• Service in a “War-time Era” is defined as service in the Military or Naval Forces of the United States or
Forces Allied with the United States between the following dates:
World War I - April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918
World War II - December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
Korean Conflict - June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
Vietnam Era - February 28, 1961 to July 1, 1975
Persian Gulf Era - August 2, 1990 to Date to be Determined
Lebanon - July 1, 1958 to November 1, 1958
September 29, 1982 to March 30, 1984
Grenada - October 25, 1983 to December 15, 1983
Earnest Will - February 1, 1987 to July 23, 1987
Panama - December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990
10
Service Areas:
All of Connecticut State. Contact main office in Hartford (see below) to be referred to your local office.
Program Year:
Year round, but available only once per year.
Contact Information:
Soldiers’ Sailors’ And Marines’ Fund Main Office:
Address:864 Wethersfield Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114-3184
Phone: (860) 296-0719
Toll Free (CT): 1-800-491-4941
Fax: (860) 296-0820
Website: www.ct.gov/ssmf
New Haven Office:
Address: 746 Chapel Street, New Haven, Ct 06510
Phone: (203) 789-7841
Contact: Jarrett Esposito
Because Project Warm-Up is designed as a last resort, callers are instructed to first exhaust all other means of
assistance available. This program is administered by the UWSECT AFL-CIO Labor Liaison. Contact your
union for more information on Community Assistance program from the AFL-CIO.
Service Areas:
New London County
Contact Information:
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
Address: PO Box 375
Gales Ferry, CT 06335
Phone: (860) 464-7281
Fax: (860) 464-6362
Website: www.uwsect.org/Project_Warm_Up.php
Service Areas:
All of Connecticut, through local community centers and service units. Please visit the following
websites for information about your local office:
If you do not have access to these sites, call the divisional headquarters as listed below and ask to be
transferred to your local Salvation Army office.
Contact Information:
Southern New England Divisional Headquarters
Address: 855 Asylum Ave.
Hartford, CT 06105
Phone: (860) 543-8400
Fax: (860) 543-8412
Website: http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_sne.nsf
Eligibility for Catholic Charities Basic Human Needs assistance is not solely determined on the basis of income
and is flexible to accommodating the needs of individuals and families on a case-by-case basis. However,
because funds are limited, recipients of government utilities assistance are not eligible for this funding.
Service Areas:
Ansonia, Guilford, Hartford, Meriden, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, Rocky Hill, Torrington, and
Waterbury
Contact Information:
For main administrative offices:
Address: 839-841 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
Phone: 1-888-405-1183 or Basic Human Needs Program Director Maria Rios at (860) 522-8241 x680
For your local office:
Website: www.ccaoh.org/locations.html
12
Programs Through Local Community Action Agencies
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must meet certain income restrictions. In most cases, income must be below 200% of Federal Poverty
Guidelines.
• Must live within service area.
Service Areas:
Bridgeport, Stratford, Fairfield, Trumbull, Easton and Monroe
Contact Information:
Address: 1070 Park Ave.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: (203) 384-6904
Fax: (203) 394-6175
Website: www.abcd.org/energy
ABCD is also an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above and for FEMA.
Service Areas:
Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry,
Eastford, Ellington, Hampton, Hebron, Killingly, Lebanon, Mansfield, Plainfield,
Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Somers, Stafford, Sterling, Thompson, Tolland, Union,
Vernon, Willington, Windham, Woodstock
Contact Information:
Address: 1315 Main Street
Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: (860) 450-7449
Fax: (860) 450-7477
Website:www.accessagency.org
Service Areas:
Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth
Contact Information:
13
Address: 55 South Street
Bristol, CT 06010
Phone: (860) 584-2725
Fax: (860) 582-5224
Website: www.bcoinc.org
Service Areas:
East Haven, Hamden, New Haven, North Haven, West Haven
Contact Information:
Address: 781 Whalley Avenue
New Haven, CT 06515
Phone: (203) 387-7700
Fax: (203) 397-7475
Website: www.caanh.net
Service Areas:
Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield,
New Milford, Newtown, North Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Salisbury,
Sharon, Sherman, Warren, and Washington
Contact Information:
Address: 66 North Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 744-4700
Fax: (203) 790-9693
Web site: www.cacd-caa.org
Service Areas:
Avon, Branford, Bloomfield, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Granby,
East Haddam, East Hampton, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Essex, Glastonbury, Granby,
Guilford, Haddam, Hartford, Killingworth, Madison, Manchester, Marlborough, Middlefield,
Middletown, North Branford, Newington, Old Saybrook, Portland, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South
Windsor, Suffield, Westbrook, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Windsor Locks
Contact Information:
Address: 555 Windsor Street
Hartford, CT 06120
Phone: (860) 560-5600
14
Fax: (860) 527-3305
Website: www.crtct.org
Service Areas:
Stamford, Darien and Greenwich
Contact Information:
Address: 34 Woodland Ave
Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: (203) 327-3260
Fax: (203) 352-2972
Website: www.ctecap.org
Service Areas:
Greater New Britain Area
Contact Information:
Address: 180 Clinton Street
New Britain, CT 06053
Phone: (860) 225-8601
Fax: (860) 225-4843
Website: www.hranbct.org
Service Areas:
New Canaan, Norwalk, Weston, Westport, Wilton, Greenwich, Darien
Contact Information:
Address: 98 South Main Street
South Norwalk, CT 06854
Phone: (203) 899-2420
Fax: (203) 899-2430
Website: www.neoncaa.org
15
Service Areas:
Barkhamsted, Berlin, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Colebrook, Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Litchfield,
Meriden, Middlebury, Morris, Naugatuck, New Hartford, Norfolk, Prospect, Southbury, Southington,
Thomaston, Torrington, Wallingford, Waterbury, Watertown, Winchester, Wolcott, Woodbury
Contact Information:
Address: 232 North Elm Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
Phone: (203) 575-9799
Fax: (203) 755-8254
Website: www.newopportunitiesinc.org
Service Areas:
Derby, Shelton, Milford, Woodbridge, Ansonia, Seymour, Bethany, Beacon Falls, Oxford, and Orange
Contact Information:
Address: 30 Elizabeth Street
Derby, CT 06418
Phone: (203) 736-5420
Fax: (203) 736-5425
Website: www.teaminc.org/heat_assistance.htm
Service Areas:
Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme,
Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington,
Voluntown, Waterford
Contact Information:
Address: One Sylvandale Road
Jewett City, CT 06351
Phone: (860) 889-1365
Fax: (860) 376-8782
Website: www.tvcca.org
16
Call the InfoLine at 2-1-1 to be directed to your town hall or visit www.211ct.org and search the
database.
17