Energy pg 1 2-25-21
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Energy
assistance
still available
Applications for energy assistance for the 2021 heating season are still being accepted by the Access Community Action Agency. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all applications for energy assistance will be completed over the phone.
Funding for this program is provided by The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and is housed under the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). These CEAP funds are targeted to limited income families and seniors who need them the most. The Energy Assistance program is designed to offset winter heating costs for low-income (below 60% of state median income) households in Windham and Tolland counties. Benefits are determined by total household gross income and liquid assets; eligibility ends on March 15 unless otherwise changed by DSS. Utility-heated households (Eversource Energy, electric and gas) in the matching payment program are protected from utility shut-off until May 1.
Contact Access in Willimantic at 860-450-7400 or Danielson at 860-412-1600 to make a phone appointment and provide a working telephone number in order for an Intake Tech to call. Previous Access customers can create an account and schedule an appointment online at: https://accessagency.nexacomm.net/.
Households that have received energy assistance in the past must reapply and drop off updated documentation to be eligible for the new heating season.
After completing the application over the phone, a list of documentation will be mailed to the applicant and they will have 10 days to return the documentation either by mail, fax, email, or it can be dropped off at Willimantic or Danielson in a designated drop box. Anyone entering the building will need to wear a mask and keep social distance. We are determined to keep each energy assistance customer and our staff safe.
To apply for assistance, applicants must schedule an appointment and provide copies of the following documents for all household members 18 and over and not in school:
- Names, birthdates and proof of Social Security card numbers for all household members.
- Pay stubs if employed, (4 if paid weekly, 2 if paid bi-weekly), unemployment printout.
- If self-employed, Self-employment worksheet with all schedules of the previous year tax returns.
- Letter for SS, SSI, SSDI, DSS readout for cash assistance and SNAP benefits.
- Proof of Child Support and/or Alimony documents.
- Rent Receipt/Lease, with name, address and telephone number of landlord.
- Mortgage statement or tax bill if property owner.
- Utility bill(s) with account numbers for ALL adult household members.
- All pages of recent bank account statements for ALL adult household members, showing name and account numbers (checking & savings that reflects activity 30 days prior to application date).
- Liquid Assets are assets that are readily convertible to cash, and include savings accounts, checking accounts, bonds, stocks/shares, certificates of deposit, annuities and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), provided the IRA’s accounts are in the name of a household member who is 59 ½ years old or older. Households must provide verification of all liquid assets
- Letter from a friend or relative if they give support money, must have an amount.
- If paid under the table a letter stating how much you were paid during the previous 4 weeks.
- Financial aid forms for everyone in the household.
- If a person in the household is receiving a pension we must have a letter from the pension plan or a 1099-R from the IRS.
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