Energy Assistance in Vermont

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Energy Assistance in Vermont

• An Overview

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Seasonal Fuel Assistance

• Funding LIHEAP block grant
• Asset test
• 3,000 (hhs 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

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• 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)

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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

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• 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 Statistics
• 5,446 crisis grants (6,327 benefits)
• 2,979 electric assists (371,023)

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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

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• 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

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• 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

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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

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• Administered by the CAP agencies
• Available 10/1 5/31
• Asset test None
• Income test 185 FPL

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• 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)

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• 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

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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

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• Asset test None
• Income test 185 FPL
• Can be used for any heat related emergency
• Primarily used for CVPS disconnects

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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

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• 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

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Venezuelan Discount Oil

• Fuel oil available at a 40 discount
• Funding Citgo (subsidiary of Venezuelas
  state-owned oil company
• Administered by CAP agencies Citizens Energy
  of Massachusetts
• Available 11/1 2/28

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• 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

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• 2005/2006 Statistics
• Program wasnt available until late in the season
  
• end of February
• 1,417 deliveries
• 605,500 total
• 242,200 paid by Citizens Energy

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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

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Misc.

• Many local communities have established small
  fuel funds to help with low-income energy
  needs.
• Generally accessed through the local CAP agency