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