CONNECTICUT STATE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: 2009-2010

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

1. CEAP

Income Guidelines: Household with income at or below 150% FPL

Basic Benefit: $640-$840, depending on income, or $690-$880, depending on income if there is a person in the household who is disabled or who is age 60+.

Crisis Benefit: for households that heat with a deliverable fuel (oil, wood, propane, kerosene): $400

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

Renters Benefit: for households whose heat is included in their rent and whose rent is more than 30% of their income: $380-$410, 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.)

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. CEAP FOR ELDERLY OR DISABLED

Income Guidelines: Household with a household member who is age 60+ or who is disabled AND with income between 150%-200%

Basic Benefit: $605

Crisis Benefit: for households that heat with a deliverable fuel (oil, wood, propane, kerosene): $400

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

No Renters Benefit

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.

3. CHAP

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

Basic Benefit: $580

Crisis Benefit: for households that heat with a deliverable fuel (oil, wood, propane, kerosene): $400

No Safety Net for CHAP.

No Renters Benefit.

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.

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. 1, 2009 – First day for fuel deliveries that can be paid by the program.
• Nov. 2, 2009 - First day for authorization of fuel deliveries.
• March 15, 2010 - Deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries.
• May 3, 2010 - 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 17, 2010 - 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, 2010 - 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: 2009-2010 State Energy Plan
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2009