Vermont
FY 2012/2013 Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 800-479-6151
Website: www.dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel_assistance
Local LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/contact_us/district_offices
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
LIHEAP FY 2013 Funding (Initial Release under the Continuing Resolution)
$17,690,066
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
185% Federal Poverty Level for heating
200% Federal Poverty Level for crisis
LIHEAP FY 2012 Benefit
Heating: $900 average (includes state funds)
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2012 Heating)
38,939
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating and Crisis: November 1 - April 30
State
Low-Income Rate Assistance
General Assistance provides emergency help to meet basic needs, including fuel and utilities. Eligible are persons with little or no income and resources who are unable to work or who have employment barriers. Also persons who have experienced a crisis such as a fire, flood, death in the family or eviction may be eligible. Individuals must apply in person at district offices when they have an emergency.
1-800-479-6151
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
The Weatherization Trust Fund, established in 1990, is funded by a 0.5 percent gross receipts tax on regulated utilities and all fuels except wood. The trust fund has raised about $3 million annually to supplement the Vermont Weatherization Assistance Program.
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
Green Mountain Power (GMP)
Energy Assistance Program
Eligible households (up to 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines) can receive a 25 percent discount off their monthly bills for the first 600 kilowatt hours used. Applications can be received by contacting the Vermont Agency of Human Services Benefits Service Center at 1-800-775-0516. Once the application is complete, return to the Agency for review. If you qualify, the Agency will notify you and GMP. The discounted rate will be applied to your account with the next month's bill after GMP receives notification.
www.greenmountainpower.com/customers/payment/assistance-/
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
A unique "energy efficiency utility" called Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont legislature and Vermont Public Service Board to provide energy efficiency services to low-income and other customers. The Low-Income Single Family Program provides electric efficiency improvements to eligible customers of Vermont’s electric utilities (except in Burlington) who are actively enrolled in the federal Weatherization Assistance Program. Measures include energy efficiency lighting, refrigerator replacement, and water heater efficiency measures. Also provides energy efficiency measures to owners, managers and developers of multi-family housing units.
1-888-921-5990
www.efficiencyvermont.com
Green Mountain Power
Offers free weatherization service to low-income households through local weatherization agencies. Qualified technicians come to your home and inspect the heating system, make any necessary repairs, insulate, and seal air leaks. To see if you are income-eligible or to apply, call:
CVOEO - 800-287-7971 (Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle counties)
CVCAC - 800-639-1053 (Lamoille, Orange, Washington)
SEVCA - 800-464-9951 (Windham, Windsor)
NETO - 802-748-8935 (Caldonia, Essex, Orleans)
BEN-Rut - 802-775-0878 (Bennington, Rutland)
For any additional questions: State Economic Opportunity Office 1-802-241-2450
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
WARMTH
The WARMTH Support Program uses funds donated by concerned Vermonters to help low-income families pay their energy costs. All contributions go directly to fuel suppliers; administrative costs are funded by participating fuel dealers and utilities. WARMTH funds are available when a household has exhausted its supply of fuel or faces disconnection of utility services. Funds are only available when an individual has not been able to find sufficient help through other channels. Application can be made at any of Vermont's five community action agencies.
Central Vermont Community Action Council, Inc. 802-479-1053
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc. 802-862-2771
North East Kingdom Community Action 802-334-7316
Southeastern Vermont Community Action, Inc. 802-463-9951
Vermont Community Action Directors Association 802-775-0878
1-800-287-7971
Central Vermont Public Service
The Shareheat Fund
The Fund helps less fortunate customers pay their winter energy bills. Recipients must have exhausted other fuel assistance funds before receiving help from Shareheat. Donations are distributed to community action agencies operating within the CVPS service territory, which in turn, provide the funds on a case-by-case basis to those in need.
Contact: Community Action Agencies
http://www.cvps.com/Community/Shareheat.aspx