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 Statistics
 5,446 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
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

–
Over 2,300 fuel/utility assists to low-income
households


An all-time high
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