Connecticut Sources Of Emergency Funding For Utilities

Sources of Emergency Utilities Assistance for Connecticut Residents As of Fall 2009

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 lowincome, 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. Your Right to Utility and Deliverable Fuel Services Utility companies and municipalities are limited in their ability to shut-off or deny utility services. Residential customers of gas and electric companies receive the highest level of consumer protection. For instance, low income and seriously ill consumers are protected from termination of gas and electric service during the winter moratorium, November 1 to May 1. Customers with life threatening conditions are protected from shut-offs year round. Service may not be shut off on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, the day before a legal holiday or a day when the company’s business office is either not open or is within one hour of closing or a complaint about the consumer’s bill is being investigated. 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). Security Deposits to Obtain Service Connecticut Light & Power, United Illuminating, Yankee Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas, and Connecticut Natural Gas cannot deny service to hardship customers who are unable to pay a security deposit. Municipal utilities are allowed to charge security deposits, but the Connecticut Department of Social Services may help pay these deposits for persons receiving State Supplement or TFA. Life Threatening Service Terminations Gas and electric utility services may not be terminated, and must be reinstated if terminated, whenever a lack of such service would create a life-threatening situation, when the customer lacks the resources to pay the entire account and he/she has a registered physician’s note. 1

Service Terminations Between November 1 and May 1 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.

“Hardship” cases include customers who: • Receive certain local, state or federal assistance. • Receive income only from Social Security, Veteran’s or Unemployment Compensation benefits. • Have income that is less than 125% of the federal poverty level. • Are unemployed with household incomes less than 300% of the federal poverty level. • Have a household member who is seriously ill and whose health would be at significant risk if utilities were to be shut off Low-Income Rate Assistance 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: • •

the winter program (November 1 to April 30), and the summer program (May 1 to October 31).

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

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Specific Utilities Company Programs: 1.

Connecticut Light and Power •

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

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Matching Payment Plan Customers who maintain eligibility under the Matching Payment Program will see an additional reduction in their past-due amount for every dollar paid to CL&P. For more information, call 1-800-2862828 or 860-947-2828 in the Hartford and Meriden calling areas.

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Winter Protection Program Protects hardship customers from electric service shut-offs or natural gas shut-offs for nonpayment from Nov. 1 to May 1 and protects from late charges. To qualify, a customer's total household income must be below 200% FPG, or below 300% if unemployed for the last 12 months. Additional criteria that may also qualify a customer for Winter Protection can include aid to the blind, elderly and disabled, temporary family assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, general assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a serious or life-threatening illness in the household. Customers still receive their bills and should try to pay what they can each month to avoid a larger balance due when the protection period ends. Call: 1- 800-286-2828

General Contact Info for Connecticut Light and Power: Address: Northeast Utilities Customer Care Center 107 Selden Street Berlin, CT Phone: (860) 947-2000 Toll Free: (800) 286-2000 Teletype for the deaf: (800) 842-9710 Para asistencia en español: (860) 665-3536 Website: www.cl-p.com/home.aspx 2.

Connecticut Natural Gas •

Matching Payment Plan For families that qualify, CNG will match every dollar paid by you or on your behalf (up to a zero balance) if you successfully complete the plan. So, you pay a portion, energy assistance pays a portion and we pay a portion. Bottom line: you may have to pay for only about one-third of your gas heating expense if you qualify. Eligibility is based on income and assets. Customers must receive energy assistance in order to be eligible.

General Contact Info for Connecticut Natural Gas: Phone: (860) 727-3034 or call InfoLine at 2-1-1 to learn more. Website: www.cngcorp.com 3

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Southern Connecticut Gas •

Matching Payment Plan For families that qualify, CNG will match every dollar paid by you or on your behalf (up to a zero balance) if you successfully complete the plan. So, you pay a portion, energy assistance pays a portion and we pay a portion. Bottom line: you may have to pay for only about one-third of your gas heating expense if you qualify. Eligibility is based on income and assets. Customers must receive energy assistance in order to be eligible.

General Contact Info for Southern Connecticut Gas: Address: 855 Main Street, 8th Floor Bridgeport, CT 06604 Phone: (860) 727-3034 for Energy Assistance Info or call InfoLine at 2-1-1 (203) 334-8866 in Bridgeport area or (203) 786-6222 in New Haven area Toll Free: (800) 659-8299 Fax: (203) 382-8670 Website: www.soconngas.com 4.

United Illuminating Co. •

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.

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Matching Payment Plan This program helps low-income customers maintain year-round service and pay down delinquent balances by company-matched dollars. A payment arrangement plan helps qualified hardship customers pay past due electric bills. Under MaPP, if payments are current, a past due balance can be "forgiven" over time.

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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.

General Contact Info for United Illuminating Co.: Address: The United Illuminating Company P.O. Box 1564 New Haven, CT 06506-0901 Phone: (800) 442-5004 Fax: (203) 499-2411 Website: www.uinet.com 5.

Yankee Gas •

Matching Payment Program Yankee Gas' Matching Payment Program provides low-income heating customers who have past-due balances, gas service year-round and the possibility of forgiveness of back balances owed. To qualify, customers must apply and qualify for energy assistance funds and make and keep a payment 4

arrangement. Yankee Gas will deduct from the customer’s bill, up to zero balance, an amount to match the customer’s payment and the energy assistance fund. •

Winter Protection Program Protects hardship customers from electric service shut-offs or natural gas shut-offs for nonpayment from Nov. 1 to May 1. To qualify, a customer's total household income will be considered. Additional criteria that may also qualify a customer for Winter Protection can include aid to the blind, elderly and disabled, temporary family assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, general assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a serious or life-threatening illness in the household. Customers still receive their bills and should try to pay what they can each month to avoid a larger balance due when the protection period ends.

General Contact Info for Yankee Gas: Phone: (800) 438-2278 Website: http://www.yankeegas.com/HomeCustomer/energyassistance.asp

Other Statewide Programs: 1.

Statewide Public Energy Assistance Programs

A. Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)- Winter ONLY The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which is administered by the Department of Social Services and coordinated by regional Community Action Agencies in cooperation with municipal and other non-profit human service agencies, is designed to help offset the winter heating costs of our most vulnerable lower income households. The energy program is designed to help with your winter heating costs. CEAP is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating. If you are applying, you should continue to pay on your heating bill. If your household is determined eligible, authorizations and payments are made directly to the utility company or the fuel vendor on your behalf. On behalf of eligible households, the winter heating assistance pays for such heating sources as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal and wood. Minimum benefit level is $650. A “vulnerable” household may receive more basic benefits than a “nonvulnerable” 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 B. Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP)- Winter ONLY CHAP is basically the same service as CEAP (above) but for households with higher incomes. The standard CHAP benefit amount is $625. 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 C. Crisis Assistance Program- Winter ONLY Subject to the availability of funds, the state will implement a Crisis Assistance Program to address the heating needs of service recipient households who have exhausted their CEAP Basic Benefits and are unable to secure primary heat, causing a life-threatening situation. A one-time Crisis Assistance benefit of up to $565 is available to households using such heating sources as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal and wood. 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 E. State Appropriated Fuel Assistance Program (SAFA)- Winter ONLY SAFA is a state-run service to assist with winter heating bills for elderly or disabled households with slightly higher incomes. These and additional state funds provided by the General Assembly supplement the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 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 ***FOR ALL ABOVE SERVICES*** Contact Information: For more information: Connecticut Department of Social Services Phone: Call the 2-1-1 InfoLine for your local service area or Call the DSS Energy Services Unit at 1800-842-1132 Website: http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305194 To Apply: Contact your local Community Action Agency (Also see page 13) • •

The Community Action Committee of Danbury, Inc. (203) 748-5422 New Opportunities, Inc. (Waterbury area) (203) 756-8151 7

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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

2. Operation Fuel- Winter AND Summer (Private Fuel Banks) Operation Fuel is a private, non-profit program that provides emergency help with energy or utility bills for people who are not eligible for CEAP or SAFA or have exhausted their benefit. Connecticut's legislature passed a law requiring all of the state's gas and electric utilities with at least 75,000 customers to facilitate the collection of donations for Operation Fuel. Grants to households are approved at the discretion of the local fuel banks. Applicants are asked to first utilize the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) before seeking assistance from Operation Fuel. 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 “OffSeason,” 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 3. Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition- Winter AND Summer The Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition’s Client Assistance Fund is a set of financial assistance services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Hartford, Tolland, and Middlesex counties. These funds can be used to help clients maintain their quality of life and to meet emergency needs. Funds have an established annual cap per person. Funding caps vary depending upon availability. These funds are paid one-time per year to help meet needs that are emergency in nature or when only one expenditure within a year is made. This fund is only for emergencies and is not available to pay ongoing utility bills. 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 caseby-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: [email protected] Website: www.ctaidscoalition.org 4. Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund (SSMF)- Winter AND Summer The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund (SSMF) is an agency of the State of Connecticut established in 1919 to assist needy wartime veterans and their families. The agency is administered by The American Legion. The Fund can cover a wide variety of temporary assistance needs including utilities such as gas, electricity, water and home heating fuel. Amount of award is completely case dependent and is available only ONCE in a twelve month period (the Fund is not intended for long term assistance). Funds do not cover past-due bills or debts, and are subject to some limitations. Contact your local office for application, interview and assessment of need. 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

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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 5. Project Warm-Up- Winter ONLY Project Warm-Up is a heating assistance program of United Way of Southeastern CT (UWSECT) which collaborates with other local service providers to meet the home heating needs of families in New London County who are experiencing a short-term crisis. When all other means of assistance are gone, Project WarmUp steps in to help. Target beneficiaries of the program are those families that otherwise "fall through the cracks" or between guidelines of other local, state and federal assistance programs (i.e. individuals laid off due to downsizing, people experiencing unusual medical expenses and families in emergency). Families served are represented by virtually every township in the county. Though support is offered for natural gas, woodstove and electric heating, because of the rising costs of oil, heating by oil will remain the priority. 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 6. Salvation Army of Southern New England- Winter AND Summer The Salvation Army of Southern New England’s Connecticut division provides limited assistance for utilities such as lighting, gas and oil. Funds for the Salvation Army assistance come primarily from private donations and are often limited, so applicants are asked to exhaust all other sources of energy assistance first. The Salvation Army also asks that applicants have made at least some of their utilities payments in the last year. Availability of funds varies on a month to month basis and is specific to local offices. 11

Eligibility for Salvation Army utilities 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. Service Areas: All of Connecticut, through local community centers and service units. Please visit the following websites for information about your local office: For cities and larger towns: http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_sne.nsf/vwsublinks/048D7C08B80F626D85256EFD0047A50A?openDocument For suburban and rural areas: http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_sne.nsf/vw-dynamicindex/1B880623012075168525745F006750F2?Opendocument 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 7. Catholic Charities- Winter AND Summer Catholic Charities is a non-profit charity serving people of all faiths in Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven counties. Catholic Charities provides a number of social services including their Basic Human Needs assistance which can provide funding for utilities assistance. Funds for the Catholic Charities Basic Human Needs assistance come primarily from private donations and are often limited, so applicants are asked to exhaust all other sources of energy assistance first. Catholic Charities is a last resort source of funding. Availability of funds varies on a month to month basis and is specific to local offices. 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

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Programs Through Local Community Action Agencies 1. Action for Bridgeport Community Development, Inc. (ABCD)- Winter ONLY The ABCD ENERGY Program provides help to eligible household who reside in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull with assistance in paying their winter heating bills. One application covers all programs. Amount of benefit varies according to need and income. 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. 2. ACCESS, Inc.- Winter ONLY ACCESS, Inc. is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 3. Bristol Community Action Agency, Inc. (BCO) Bristol Community Action Agency is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 4. Community Action Agency of New Haven, Inc. (CAA-NH) The Community Action Agency of New Haven is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 5. The Community Action Committee of Danbury, Inc. (CACD)- Winter ONLY The Community Action Committee of Danbury is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 6. Community Renewal Team, Inc. (CRT)- Winter ONLY The Community Renewal Team is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 7. CTE, Inc. (CTE) CTE is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 8. Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. (HRA-NB)- Winter ONLY The Human Resources Agency of New Britain is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 9. Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc. (NEON)- Winter ONLY Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 10. New Opportunities, Inc. New Opportunities is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel.

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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 11. TEAM, Inc.- Winter ONLY TEAM Community Action Agency is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel. 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 12. Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (TVCCA) Thames Valley Council for Community Action is an intake site for the state-funded programs mentioned above (CEAP, CHAP, ect.), for FEMA and for Operation Fuel (New London only). 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

Your Town Hall: Most town and city halls have their own local, privately funded assistance programs. These funds are often limited, but are typically more flexible than state-wide programs in meeting the needs of their applicants. Local assistance programs are generally available for a number of needs, in addition to energy assistance. Eligibility for these programs is typically determined on a case-by-case basis rather than by strict income or other restrictions. 16

Call the InfoLine at 2-1-1 to be directed to your town hall or visit www.211ct.org and search the database.

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