CONNECTICUT STATE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: 2012-2013

CEAP - Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
CHAP - Contingency Heating Assistance Program

1. CEAP

Income Guidelines: Household with income at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL).  If the household has a person who is disabled, an older adult age 60+, or a child under age 6, income guideline is at or below 200% FPL.

Basic Benefit: $300-$525, depending on income, or $350-$575, depending on income if there is a person in the household who is disabled, who is age 60+, or is a child under age 6.

Crisis Benefit: for households that heat with a deliverable fuel (oil, wood, propane, kerosene): $400, depending on income.  The benefit is also $400, depending on income if there is a person in the household who is disabled, who is age 60+, or is a child under age 6.

Safety Net: for households that heat with a deliverable fuel (oil, wood, propane, kerosene): $400. Eligible households can have a second Safety Net payment of $400.  Households with a child under age 6, or with a person who is disabled, or with a person age 60+ can have second and third Safety Net payments of $400 each.

Renters Benefit: for households whose heat is included in their rent and whose rent is more than 30% of their income: $100-$120, depending on income level. Households that pay less than 30% of their income on rent will get a nominal payment of $1 (This helps them get more in food stamp benefits).  NOTE: There is no Renters Benefit for households with income at or below 150% FPL.

ASSET LIMIT:

• Homeowners: Below $10,000 in liquid assets.
• All others: Below $7,000 in liquid assets.
  (Liquid assets are assets that can be readily accessed. Stocks, mutual funds, savings and checking accounts, CDs are all liquid assets. Home equity, car values, life insurance policies are not considered liquid assets.)
• Exception to asset limit: Any amount over the limit can be added to income. If income is still under the limit after adding in excess assets, client is eligible.

2. CHAP

Income Guidelines: Household with income at or below 60% of the State Median Income.

Basic Benefit: $300

Crisis Benefit: for households that heat with a deliverable fuel (oil, wood, propane, kerosene): $100

No Safety Net for CHAP.

No Renters Benefit.

ASSET LIMIT:  Same as CEAP

Prioritized Service:

Deliverable fuel heated households who are either without heating fuel, or within one week of being without heating fuel at the time of application, will be eligible to receive prioritized services, including prompt eligibility processing. Households determined eligible will receive a fuel delivery authorization within 24 hours of the date of application

How to Apply:

Apply in person, by appointment, at local Community Action Agencies. Individuals who are homebound have the option of applying by mail. Homebound applicants can mail their completed application to the main office of the CAA that manages CEAP/CHAP for their community.

Timetable:

• Nov. 15, 2012 – First day for fuel deliveries that can be paid by the program.
• Nov. 15, 2012 - First day for authorization of fuel deliveries.
• March 15, 2013 - Deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries.
• May 1, 2013 - Last day household can apply to establish eligibility for benefits unless the household is utility-heated and has a shut off notice for its primary source of heat.
• May 15, 2013 - Last day that a utility heated household with a shut off notice for its primary source of heat can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits.
• May 31, 2013 - Last day to submit deliverable fuel bills for deliveries made between November 1 and March 15. Payments go to the deliverable fuel vendor. If customer has paid bill, benefit will be a credit on their account statement.

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SOURCE: 2012-2013 State Energy Plan
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: October2012