Social Services Coordinator Katie Vaill is advising residents that the application deadline for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program has been extended to Tuesday, June 15, 2021, providing eligible families and individuals additional time to apply for this vital assistance.
The new application deadline of June 15 is moved up from original cutoff date of May 3 and May 14, depending on whether a utility-heated household has received shut-off notice from the utility. The change combines the two original cutoff dates into the single, new application deadline of June 15 for all households, regardless of source of heat.
Winchester residents who need help paying their home heating costs are encouraged to apply, regardless of whether their home is heated through electricity, natural gas, or a deliverable fuel. If the household’s primary heat source is electricity or natural gas, the basic benefit award is sent directly to the utility company.
Additional flexibilities are in place to ease the application process, including suspension of the liquid assets test requirement for eligibility.
Fuel deliveries to eligible households have also been extended to May 20, 2021, if a household’s primary heat source is a deliverable fuel (oil, kerosene, propane or coal). A retroactive payment or credit to their fuel vendor for deliveries made between November 2, 2020 and May 20, 2021, may also be possible up to the amount of the household’s basic benefit award.
Home heating benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income (currently, $37,645 for a single person and $72,394 for a household of four). Payments are issued directly to fuel vendors and utility companies on behalf of eligible households.
Please note emergency funding is also available to repair or replace unsafe or inoperable heating systems for single-family, owner-occupied homes with incomes up to 60% of the state median income. A heating system must be deemed as unsafe or inoperable by a licensed heating vendor to be considered.
The program is administered to Winchester residents by the Connecticut Department of Social Services through New Opportunities, Inc. For more information on the program, please phone (203) 756-8051or email at: energy@newoppinc.org