Under Troubled Economy, Many Will Need Heating Oil Assistance–How to Apply in Your State
(image: americanprogress.org)
Although homeowners are relieved that heating oil prices are lower this year than last year, the dismal economy is forcing record numbers of people throughout the Northeast to seek heating oil assistance. State and local assistance agencies in areas such as Essex County, NY and Western Mass. have already seen steep increases in heating assistance applications, and the trend is beginning to spread throughout the region.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal government program administered by state governments that helps low-income people with heating costs. Each state has its own income guidelines to be able to qualify for LIHEAP (state-by-state info after the jump):
Connecticut: 150-200% Federal Poverty Level, or up to $42,400 for a family of four. Contact Information: For further information, please call the state 2-1-1 Infoline, your local Community Action Agency, or the Department of Social Services’ winter heating assistance line at 1-800-842-1132.
http://www.ct.gov/staywarm
Washington, D.C.: 75% of State Median Income, or $42,943 for a family of four. Contact Information: 202-673-6750.
Delaware: 200% Federal Poverty Level, or $42,400 for a family of four
Call Catholic Charities to find out where and how to apply for assistance in the following counties: Kent County: (302) 674-1782; New Castle County: (302) 654-9295; Sussex County: (302) 856-6310.
Massachusetts: 60% of State Median Income, or $53,608 for a family of four
Contact information: 1-800-632-8175.
Maryland: 175% Federal Poverty Level, or $37,100 for a family of four
Contact Information: 1-800-632-8175.
Maine: 170%-230% Federal Poverty Level, or up to $47,626 for a family of four. Contact Information: 207- 626-4600 or 1-800-452-4668.
New Hampshire: 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, or $39,220 for a family of four. Contact Information: warmhome@hn.gov
www.nh.gov/oep/programs/fuelassistance/index.htm
New Jersey: 225% Federal Poverty Level, or $47,700 for a family of four
Contact Information: Call 1-800-792-9745
New York: 60% of State Median Income, or $45,312 for a family of four
Contact Information: http://www.nyseg.com/nysegweb/webcontent.nsf/residential/PowerPartner
Pennsylvania: 60% of State Median Income, or $44,443 for a family of four
Contact Information: www.dollarenergy.org/ipartner/registration/applicant.asp
Rhode Island: 60% State Median Income, or $46,913 for a family of four
Contact Information: Emergency Fuel Hotline, 401-574-9003.
Vermont: 125% Federal Poverty Level, or $26,508 for a family of four.
Contact Information: 1-800-479-6151
To find more information about heating assistance in your particular state, go to: http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/energyhelp.htm.
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admin says: says:
Robin: thanks for your comment. You’re right, $300 for a family of six with a household income of $12,000 doesn’t seem like a lot of help. Perhaps Citizens Energy, a non-profit organization that provides heating oil to the elderly and the poor, could help some of those Pennsylvania families for whom LIHEAP is not enough. Do you (or other readers) have other suggestions for families in Pennsylvania (or elsewhere) who need help heating their homes this winter?
Robin says: says:
A family of six in Pennsylvania gets $300 LIHEAP to heat their home for the winter. This is a joke. Heating oil is $2.35 per gallon. Minimun delivery is 275 gallons……$300 will not even buy half of that. Politicians look to kill off low and middle class citizens should be the theme here.