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Energy Assistance in Vermont

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

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Energy Assistance in Vermont

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  1. Energy Assistance in Vermont An Overview

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 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)

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

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

  11. 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)

  12. 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

  13. 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

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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 2005/2006Statistics • 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

  20. 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

  21. 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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