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 winder heating costs of our most vulnerable lower income households.  CEAP has begun accepting applications for winter heating aid for eligible low-income households.  Delivery of heating fuel will begin November 2, 2009.
 
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program benefits thousands of homeowners and renters throughout the state. The following is information about the program. 

 

A.   Basic benefits for homeowners and renters who pay separately for heat: 
A vulnerable household may receive more basic benefits than a non-vulnerable household.  A vulnerable household may be eligible for up to $880 in basic winter heating benefits this winter, compared to $840 for a non-vulnerable household.  Minimum benefit level is $605.  

 

·      Up to $880 in winter heating assistance for ‘vulnerable’ households (Households which have one or more members who are elderly (age 60 or older), or who have a disability, or are under the age of 6.)

 

·      Up to $840 in winter heating assistance for non-vulnerable households (Households with no member who is elderly (age 60 or older), or who has a disability, or who is under the age of 6.)

 

A range of basic benefit levels are built into Connecticut's winter heating assistance program.  Once a household applies and is determined eligible for the program, the level of benefits is determined. 

 

Please follow this link to go to income-eligibility chart for homeowners and renters who pay separately for heat. 
Please follow this link to go to an explanation of the eligibility level for liquid assets.

 

The exact level of basic benefits is determined by your household's income, the number of members, and whether there is a ‘vulnerable’ household member.  Households with lower income levels are eligible for higher benefits.

 

 

B.   Basic benefits for renters whose heat is included in the rent:

 

·      From $380 to $410 in winter heating assistance

 

This level applies to households which do not make direct vendor payments for winter heating; in other words, renters whose heat is included in their rent, and who pay more than 30% of their gross income toward rent.

 

Please follow this link to go to income-eligibility chart for renters whose heat is included in their rent and pay more than 30% of their gross income towards rent.

 

The basic benefit level is from $380 to $410 for the winter, depending on a household's exact income and number of people in the household.

 

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

 

 

Household Income and Asset Guidelines
[The guidelines listed below are for the 2009-2010 season, which begins 11/1/09.]  

 

Note:  Any household in which all household members are participating in one or more of the following Department of Social Services programs are automatically considered income eligible for winter heating assistance benefits, but must meet all other eligibility requirements to receive benefits: Temporary Family Assistance, State Supplement to the Aged, Blind and Disabled, Refugee Cash Assistance Program, Food Stamps. Mixed-income households (those receiving income from both DSS and non-DSS sources) are considered income-eligible for winter heating assistance benefits if the combined household annual gross income, including DSS cash benefits, remains within income guidelines.

 

HOUSEHOLD ASSET GUIDELINES
There is also a liquid assets test (checking, savings, CD's, stocks, bonds, shares, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts if the accounts are in the name of a household member who is at least 59-and-one-half years old.)  The purpose of the liquid assets test is to try to ensure that winter heating assistance dollars go to households most in need; that is, to people without the financial means to heat their home.

For homeowners, the first $10,000 in liquid assets, and for other households, the first $7,000 in liquid assets, is disregarded.  Any amount over that limit, when added to the annual gross income must be below the income guidelines. 

Clients 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, the client 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.

 

 

Basic Benefits for Households qualifying for Crisis Heating Assistance:

 

·      A one-time benefit of up to $400 in winter heating assistance

 

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 $400 is available to deliverable fuel heated households with incomes up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and to elderly and/or disabled households with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines that meet the criteria. A one-time Crisis Assistance benefit of $400 is available to CHAP households with incomes up to 60% of the State Median Income.

 

Crisis is defined in all cases as being unable to secure primary heat, causing a life-threatening situation during the program delivery period--defined as being without or within one week of being without primary heating fuel, such as having an oil or kerosene supply below either 70 gallons or one-quarter tank.

 

 

Safety Net Services 

Basic Benefits for Households qualifying for Safety Net Assistance:

 

·      up to $400 in Safety Net Assistance Benefits

 

·      An additional $400 in Safety Net Assistance Benefits may be available to CEAP eligible, vulnerable households. Safety Net Assistance benefits are not available for CHAP households.

 

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.  Such households may be eligible to receive up to $400 in Safety Net Assistance Benefits.

 

An additional $400 in Safety Net Assistance Benefits may be available to CEAP eligible, vulnerable households. Safety Net Assistance benefits are not available for CHAP households.

 

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 its 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.

 

 

Connecticut residents who need help in paying their primary heating bills may apply for energy assistance at about 170 community sites.  Visit www.ct.gov/staywarm or call 2-1-1 Infoline to inquire about additional household income guidelines or to get more detailed information about the energy assistance program.  Households eligible for the winter heating program may also be eligible to receive weatherization assistance, which can help conserve energy and lower heating bills.
 
Clients must provide proof of income and assets for all household members, age 18 or over who may reside with them, for the four weeks prior to the application date.  If natural gas or electricity is the heating source, the client must submit a copy of the bill, which is required to be in the name of the applicant, or a household member who is of majority status, or an emancipated minor.  In addition, the bill must be for residential services only, and for charges incurred from November 1st through May 1st.
 
If there are questions on the Energy Assistance Program, clients should please call 2-1-1 Infoline, or the office at 1-800-842-1132.  We encourage clients to check the website at: www.ct.gov/staywarm