Overview
Fuel Assistance goes by many names depending on if you live in Vermont or New Hampshire or even your local agency but whether it’s called Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Fuel Assistance Program (FAP), Seasonal Fuel Assistance, or Energy Assistance they all do the same thing: pay part of your home heating bills by sending a lump-sum payment directly to your fuel provider.
Who Should Apply:
To apply for Fuel Assistance, your household monthly income (before taxes) is at or below:
| Number of People in your Household | ||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| Vermont
(185% federal income guidelines) |
$2,096 | $2,823 | $3,550 | $4,279 | $5,006 | $5,733 | $6,462 | $7,189 |
| New Hampshire
(60-75% State Median Income) |
$3,203 | $4,188 | $5,174 | $6,160 | $7,145 | $8,131 | $8,315 | $8,500 |
If you’re just above these income guidelines or think you won’t qualify for another reason, call your local agency anyway! They might still be able to help!
How to Apply:
The Fuel Assistance programs work similarly in both Vermont and New Hampshire but the application process is a little different in each state. For folks in Vermont, you can find information just below under the Apply in Vermont heading. New Hampshire folks, be sure to scroll down to where you see Apply in New Hampshire, or you can click the anchor icon below to skip down to Apply in New Hampshire.
Apply in Vermont
In Vermont, applications and benefits are run through the state’s Department for Children and Families’ Economic Services Division. If you’re ready to apply, you can fill out the online application by clicking the button below. The button will take you to the MyBenefits page of the Department for Children and Families’ website. On that site, you’ll find more information about the application and you can apply for other great resources like 3SquaresVT!
Funds in Vermont are typically sent out in late November and early December. There‘s no deadline for applications but apply as soon as you think you’ll need it! The earlier you apply the bigger the benefit you could get!
If you have questions about your application or need a paper application mailed to you, call the state’s benefits hotline:
1-800-479-6151
Apply in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, applications and benefits are run through the state’s local Community Action Agencies (CAA) which are non-profits that work with the state to run programs that help lift folks out of poverty for the long term. If you are ready to apply, you can call the CAA in your county to make an appointment. Below is the contact information for the CAAs in Grafton, Sullivan, Merrimack, and Cheshire counties.
Funds are typically sent out beginning in October and run through April. Households that include children under age 6, disabled or elderly folks, or households heat their homes with wood (wood pellets) can start applying in July. Households that heat with oil, kerosene, and propane can start applying in September. And households that have electric heat or have their heat included in rent can start applying in October.
Tri-County Community Action in Grafton County:
Phone: 603-968-3560 ext. 2
Email: ashlandcc@tccap.org
Southwestern Community Services:
Cheshire County
Phone: 603-352-7512
Sullivan County
Phone: 603-542-9528
Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties:
Phone: 603-225-3295 ext. 1140
Email: fuelassistance@bm-cap.org
You can also call your local CAA if you have questions about the program or application. If you would like more information about the Fuel Assistance program, you can visit your CAA’s website by clicking the buttons below:
Other Programs You Might Qualify for:
If you qualify for Fuel Assistance, you might also qualify for the programs below. Click for more information: