Maine
FY 2012/2013 Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-452-4668
Website: www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/energy-assistance-programs
LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
www.mainehousing.org/Charts/cap-agencies?PageCMD=1
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
LIHEAP FY 2013 Funding (Initial Release under the Continuing Resolution)
$34,916,307
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
60% SMI
Note: Eligibility for households with incomes between 150% and 170% of the federal poverty guidelines is limited to those households with a member who is susceptible to hypothermia, such as elderly, a child under the age of two, or with a doctor's diagnosis.
LIHEAP FY 2012 Benefit
Heating: $480 average
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2012 Heating)
50,682
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: October 1 - April 30
Crisis: November 1 -March 31
State
The General Assistance Program is provided in each town to help people in emergencies, including energy emergencies.
Contact: Bureau of Family Independence, Department of Human Services 1-800-442-6003, or 207-287-2826
Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants
Gives loans and grants to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve, modernize,
or to remove health and safety hazards in their rural homes.
Loans are for up to 20 years at 1% interest.
Grants (free) may be for people who are 62 years of age or disabled.
Loan/grant combinations may be arranged for applicants who can repay part of the
cost. The program defines ‘very low-income’ as below 50 percent of the area median
income.
To Apply: Call Rural Development. Listed in the Phone Book under U.S. Government,
Agriculture Department. Or call 1-800-352-8963 Ext. 161 and they will connect you to
the correct office. www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/sfh/brief_repairloan.htm
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP)
Maine’s transmission and distribution utilities are required to create or maintain a LIAP to make electric bills more affordable for LIHEAP-eligible customers. The Maine State Housing Authority administers, implements and coordinates the statewide plan and the individual LIAPs in conjunction with its delivery of LIHEAP. The fund amounts to approximately $5.7 million yearly.
Contacts: Community Action Program Agency or call Betsy Mansir at 207-626-4603.
www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/Energy/EnergyDetail?ProgramID=36
Bangor Hydro Electric
www.bhe.com/residential/programs-and-services/low-income-assistance.aspx
1-800-499-6600 or 947-2414
- LIHEAP-eligible customers may qualify for a rate discount. Depending on income, the percentage of the discount will vary based on kWh usage.
Contact local CAP agency.
- Emergency Assistance Program
This program is limited to families with children under the age of 18, who may not be receiving TANF but would be eligible for TANF if they applied. One of the program’s functions is to assist families in paying past due energy-related costs in order to avoid being shut-off. It is mandatory that you include a copy of the utility shut-off notice along with the application. Contact the Department of Health and Human Services in your service area for more information:
396 Griffin Road Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 561-4100 or (800) 432-7825 TDD (800) 606-0215
13 Prescott Drive Machias ME 04654
(207) 255-2000 or (800) 432-7846 TDD (800) 606-0215
17 Eastward Lane Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207) 667-1600 or (800) 432-7823 TDD (800) 606-0215
Central Maine Power
Electricity Lifeline Program
Offers qualified low-income customers a credit on their electric bill. This credit is based on household income and estimated electricity usage and is applied to your bill for the same amount each month, up to 12 months. See our fact sheet for more information.
1-800-750-4000
www.cmpco.com/YourAccount/PayYourBill/ServiceAndAssistance.html
Maine Public Service Co.
PowerPact
This program is a payment assistance and incentive program for qualified customers. Customers on an Oxygen Pump or ventilator for a minimum of eight hours, of a 24 hour period, will be given a credit on their electric bill intended to be the full cost to operate such equipment.
Presque Isle Area, 207-760-2300
Toll-free, 877-655-4448
Unitil
Discount
Rate Program
LIHEAP recipients receive a 30% discount on gas. To enroll, include a copy of your Unitil bill in addition to all other required documentation together with your completed LIHEAP application and return it to your local community action agency. The discount is effective for the next 12 months. If you have any questions about the discount rate, please contact our Customer Service Center at 866-933-3821.
www.unitil.com/energy-for-residents/gas-information/assistance-programs
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Low Income Refrigerator Replacement
A collaborative effort involving Efficiency Maine, the Maine State Housing Authority and the state’s Community Action Programs. The program replaces inefficient refrigerators and installs energy efficient lighting in the homes of qualified low-income consumers. When you apply for LIHEAP, you are automatically considered for the Appliance Replacement Program and other assistance. Contact the Community Action Program (CAP) agency nearest you for a LIHEAP application or to inquire about your eligibility for appliance replacement.
For more information call 866-376-2463 or 207-624-5745.
www.efficiencymaine.com/in-your-community/low-income-appliance-replacement
Central Maine Power
Low-Income Energy Management Program
Electric water heater and pipe insulation and water conservation measures.
1-800-750-4000
www.cmpco.com/YourHome/appliances/electricwaterheaters/bundleup/default.html
Unitil
Tenants and homeowners that meet certain income guidelines may be eligible for no-cost home energy assessments and the installation of weatherization measures.To find out if you qualify for these programs, please contact your local Community Action Agency.
Androscoggin & Oxford County residents - Community Concepts, Inc.: 207-743-7716
Cumberland County residents - Peoples Regional Opportunity Program: 207-874-1140 or 800-698-4959
York County residents - York County Community Action Corp.: 207-324-5762 or 800-965-5762
www.unitil.com/energy-for-residents/gas-information/assistance-programs
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Maine Sea Coast Mission
Provides emergency assistance for heat, electricity, food and other emergency circumstances for island and coastal communities from mid- to Downeast coastal Maine.
1-866-207-4010
www.seacoastmission.org/emergency_assistance.html