energy assistance in vermont
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Energy Assistance in Vermont
An Overview
Seasonal Fuel Assistance
Funding – LIHEAP block grant
Asset test – $3,000 (hh’s with 1 or more elderly)
$2,000 (all other households)
Income test – 125% FPL
For primary home heating source only – paid directly to fuel supplier
– Cannot be used for electric disconnects, special trip charges, repairs or equipment
Reduced benefit for “heated renters” – heat included in the rent
2005/2006 Statistics 20,454 households
– 14,893 – fuel liability (pay for fuel directly) 486 – electricty as primary heat source
– 1,488 – heated renters– 3,399 – public housing ($5 benefit)– 674 – roomers ($50 benefit)
Crisis Fuel Assistance
Funding – LIHEAP block grant
Administered by the CAP agencies
Allowable Assets – elderly or disabled only– $1,500 – household of 1– $2,250 – household of 2 or more
Income test – 150% FPL
Less restrictions than Seasonal – Can be used for electric disconnects, special trip charges,
pressure checks, start-up charges– Cannot be used for repairs, equipment or deposits
Limit of 3 assists per household per season
2005/2006 Statistics5,446 crisis grants (6,327 benefits)
– 2,979 electric assists ($371,023)
Weatherization
Funding – State Weatherization Trust Fund (79%) – Federal Department of Energy (21%)
Administered by Office of Economic Opportunity– Services delivered by local non-profit agencies
Asset test – None
Income test – 60% SMI
Priority Scheme– Households with elderly and/or disabled and/or children
under 5– Highest energy needs
Services Include– Insulation; draft sealing; heating system inspection and
repair– Electricity efficiency meansures (working in conjunction
w/Efficiency Vermont, Burlington Electric, and Vermont Gas
Emergency Heating System Repair and Replacement Grant Program
Services available for rental properties– Co-investment requirement of the landlord
2004/2005 Statistics– 1,373 units weatherized
20% elderly 7% disabled 11% children under 5
93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
Program Year
Gallons of Fuel Oil Saved Annually Homes Weatherized 1993 thru 2005
Total Net Savings=17,795,066 gallons
WARMTH
Funding– Donations from customers of 15 participating
utilities Solicited with a bill insert twice during the heating
season Washington Electric Coop Round-Up program
– Significant number of members authorize WEC to round their bill up to the nearest $ - proceeds to the WARMTH program
– $35,000 donated by Vermont Gas Systems (2006)
To match WARMTH payments on VGS arrearages for eligible VGS households
Administered by the CAP agencies
Available 10/1 – 5/31
Asset test – None
Income test – 185% FPL
Not available to CVPS customers
Can be used for any emergency – including small furnace repairs– Primarily used for electric disconnects
$150 limit/assist; $450 seasonal limit (2005/2006)
– $75 limit /assist; $225 seasonal limit (“usual” guidelines)
2005/2006 Statistics– Over $200,000 in customer donations
An all-time high
– Over 2,300 fuel/utility assists to low-income households
In excess of $165,000 WARMTH funds
2006/2007– Beginning balance of $35,000
ShareHeat
Funding – Managed by CVPS– Shareholders match customer donations
Up to $50,000 per year
Administered by the CAP agencies
Available 9/1 – 6/30
$250 limit per household per season
Asset test – None
Income test – 185% FPL
Can be used for any heat related emergency– Primarily used for CVPS disconnects
Power Partners Program
Funding – Green Mountain Power– $53,000 per year
Assists GMP customers with their arrearages
Available on a first come – first served basis– Until funds are exhausted
CAP agencies determine eligibility
Asset test – None
Income test – 200% FPL
Seasonal Limit – Up to 25% of disconnect amount– One time per calendar year
Customer pays 25% of disconnect amount by 4th disconnect date– GMP provides matching 25% credit to prevent
disconnection and customer must agree to make payment arrangement on remaining balance
Venezuelan Discount Oil
Fuel oil available at a 40% discount
Funding – Citgo (subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company
Administered by CAP agencies & Citizen’s Energy of Massachusetts
Available 11/1 – 2/28
Asset test – None
Income test – 60% SMI
One time delivery of up to 200 gallons– #2 fuel oil only
LIHEAP benefits can be used for customer portion of the bill
2005/2006 Statistics– Program wasn’t
available until late in the season
end of February– 1,417 deliveries– $605,500 total
$242,200 paid by Citizen’s Energy
Neighbors in Need/Patch Chit
Funding – Vermont Fuel Dealers Association– Civic/community organizations
Administered by Vermont Fuel Dealers Assoc.
Referrals – Fuel Office– CAP agencies– National Guard
Misc.
Many local communities have established small “fuel funds” to help with low-income energy needs.
– Generally accessed through the local CAP agency
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