To obtain information about assitance with utility costs, search Infoline's website at www.infoline.org.  Click on "Find Help" then "Search 2-1-1's Community Resources Database" then "BASIC NEEDS:  Food/Energy/ Housing/Transportation."  Under that category, click "Energy Assistance/ Utility Issues" and then "Utility Assistance."  Enter your town or zip code and click "Continue."  Listed will be agencies that operate various programs providing utility assistance. 

 

You will find contacts for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP).  Both of these programs help households pay their heating bills.  Which program you are eligible for is determined by your income.  More information about these programs can also be found at the Connecticut Department of Social Services website:  www.ct.gov/staywarm.

 

Also listed are private fuel banks, agencies that distribute Operation Fuel funds, and agencies that participate in Project Warm-Up.  These programs help with energy payments or fuel deliveries for households which either don't meet other programs' guidelines or are in a crisis.  For more information about Operation Fuel, check out their website at www.operationfuel.org.

 

Other types of assistance that are available include help paying for weatherization or conservation materials, protection against your utilities being shut off, and payment plans to help you pay overdue utility bills.  There are also programs that offer discounted telephone services for qualified individuals.

 

For more personal assistance, you may call Infoline at 2-1-1.  The Connecticut Department of Social Services also has a great brochure on their website.  The direct link to the brochure is http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/pdfs/energybrochure.pdf.  Finally, feel free to email or call me if you have any questions or need further assistance.