Dec. 1 marks the official opening of the New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program, which helps vulnerable Granite State families with their heating bills. Last winter, the program provided assistance to more than 28,400 households with an average benefit of $1,284 to help with heating costs.
The Fuel Assistance Program is a federally-funded program administered by the New Hampshire Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with New Hampshire’s Community Action Agencies. Known in Washington as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP, the Fuel Assistance Program provides aid to New Hampshire families and seniors whose annual household income is at or below 60% of the State Median Income, the highest amount allowed by federal statute. For a family of four this year, that means an annual maximum income of $87,949. For a single person household, the maximum income is $45,733.
More than 23,000 households have already applied for this winter. Households can also apply for the NH Electric Assistance Program at the same time, which provides eligible households with a discount on their electric bill. Households who qualify for the program are also eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program. This program can help homeowners make improvements and upgrades that provide further reductions in energy costs.
“As we enter the winter heating season, it is important for Granite Staters to know that home energy assistance is available,” said Jared Chicoine, NH DOE Commissioner. “Whether a household heats with electric, natural gas, oil, propane, wood, pellets, kerosene, or even has heat included in their rent, anyone in need of assistance with home energy costs is encouraged to apply.”
“If you need assistance with your home energy costs, we encourage you to reach out to your local Community Action agency,” said Leah Richards, fuel assistance program administrator at NH DOE. “The Fuel Assistance Program benefit helps eligible Granite Staters supplement the cost of heating regardless of how the household pays for heat, and benefits range from $100 to $2,177.”
A nationwide ‘Do I Qualify?’ eligibility tool is available at energyhelp.us. To apply to the program, NH residents should contact their local Community Action agency. Information about the NH’s Community Action agencies, including locations and contact information, is available at www.capnh.org.
To learn more about the Fuel Assistance Program: energy.nh.gov.
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