Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program benefits thousands of homeowners and renters throughout the state. Please check out the services explained on this website, as well as income and asset guidelines to see if you are eligible for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.
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.
Contingency Heating Assistance Program
The benefits thousands of homeowners and renters throughout the state. Please check out the services explained on this website to see if you’re eligible for the Contingency Heating Assistance Program.
Basic Benefits for Households qualifying for Contingency Heating Assistance:
· $580 in winter heating assistance
Crisis Assistance Program
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.
