Heating Assistance News
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January 24, 2012 LIHEAP Update: You may have read or heard that more money has been released from Washington. If you have already applied for LIHEAP, you don't need to do anything. You should be receiving notice of your supplemental voucher soon.
The reduced income cap for the 2011-12 season continues to apply.
So far this year LIHEAP funding is down. This will mean that more households will be turning to local heating assistance programs after their LIHEAP money runs out. Here is a summary of the programs we know about - followed by information about how to access local programs.
STATEWIDE
Apply for federally funded LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) assistance at your local CAP agency. Many CAPS begin accepting applications on July 1.
NOTE: Some Maine dealers have declined to participate in this fuel program.
As of mid-December 2011, the Massachusetts-based Citizens Energy Corporation Oil Heating Program has not started up yet. According to their website: "Our Oil Heat Program for the 2011-2012 season has not begun. Updates will be posted when available." In past years, an eligible household could get a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of heating oil. The eligibility guidelines track those used for LIHEAP. We will post updates as we find out about them.
Find out about more statewide programs (MEJP website)
Other home energy-related programs
The Homeowners section of the State of Maine website includes links to all of the state programs that help homeowners with energy-related needs. (Many of these programs help renters, too.)
The USDA Rural Development office also offers low-interest loans to qualified applicants through its Repair and Rehabilitation Loan Program. You can use this money to buy a new heating system, replace insulation, doors or windows, repair a foundation, or do many other types of repairs or upgrades, to make your home more energy efficient, or just more livable.
REGIONAL and LOCAL
Read what the National Institutes of Health say about avoiding hypothermia - especially critical for older people.
Find the supplemental funds nearest you: To find the local resources nearest you, search Maine 211 for "fuel assistance." On a follow-up screen, you have the option of limiting your search by zip code. You can also try contacting your town office, or call 211 for a referral.
Updated December 2011
PTLA #783
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