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Additional Fuel Assistance Funds Available

Tracey Cousineau

11/5/2008

For many Maine households, energy costs place a severe and continuing stress on the family's budget. In some instances, the household is forced to make painful decisions regarding which bills to pay and which necessities to survive without. Mainers received good news recently. The Federal government released some additional funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). If you have applied for LIHEAP previously this year you will not have to apply again as a result of the increase.

LIHEAP is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP will provide a one-time benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills. It is intended to assist a household with a portion of their energy costs; however, it is not intended to pay all of their energy costs. The amount of the benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type and geographic location. You do not have to own your home or pay energy bills directly to be eligible for assistance. Homes may be heated with oil, kerosene, coal, wood, LP gas or electricity.

You may also be eligible for fuel assistance if your total household income falls between 200% and 230% of the Federal poverty guideline if a member of your household is susceptible to hypothermia, such as the elderly, a child under the age of two, or with a physician’s diagnosis. This means that a family of two that makes under $32,200 could be eligible.

Though there has been an increase in funds for LIHEAP, there is also an increase in people applying for assistance. It is very important that you call to make your yearly appointment as soon as possible, as appointments are booking into December. When you go to your appointment you will need the following:

Social security numbers and dates of birth for all household members;
Your most recent electric bill;
Name, address, and phone number of your landlord, if renting;
Proof of all gross household income for the previous 3 months or 12 months;
Proof of any general assistance you are receiving

If an application is approved and payment has been made to the vendor by the Maine State Housing Authority, a benefit notification will be sent to the household letting them know how much the benefit is. Once approved, you may also be eligible for emergency fuel payments. If you have less than ¼ tank of heating fuel or are in danger of having utility services disconnected and you have no way to pay your energy company, LIHEAP may make an emergency fuel payment for you so that you will stay safe and warm. For more information or to make an appointment, please call Penquis Cap in Lincoln at 794-3093 or Penquis Cap in Millinocket at 723-8155.