Energy 

assistance 

available

Applications for energy assistance for the 2014-2015 heating season are now being accepted by the Access Community Action Agency.  Program eligibility is determined by total household gross income and is available for all heated households using oil, kerosene, propane, wood, coal, electric, or natural gas heat except motor homes and campers.  Residents of Windham and Tolland counties can contact Access in Willimantic at         860-450-7423 or in Danielson at 860-412-1601 to make an appointment to determine eligibility and to find out what documentation they will need to bring to their appointments.  Appointments are currently available during the agency’s normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. .  Households that have received energy assistance in the past must reapply and bring in updated documentation to be eligible for the new heating season.  Each applicant must bring in copies of their documentation and if there is missing documentation they will be rescheduled. 

Funding for this program is provided by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.  The Energy Assistance program is designed to offset winter heating costs for low-income (below 60 percent of state median income) households in Windham and Tolland counties.  Benefits are determined by total household gross income and liquid assets. Deliverable-heated households may use benefits starting Nov. 15 and ending March 15. Utility-heated households (CL&P and YES Yankee Gas) are eligible to participate in the matching payment programs and are protected from utility shut-off from Nov. 15 through April 15.

To apply for assistance, applicants must schedule an appointment and provide copies of the following documents for all household members.

* Names, birth dates and Social Security cards.

* Gross income for four consecutive weeks immediately prior to your application (paystubs, self-employment worksheet, unemployment printout) for everyone in the household over 18.

* Self-employment worksheet, 1040 and Schedule C.

* SS, SSI, SSDI Cash Assistance - statement required from debit card deposits, SNAP, rental income (monthly)

* Pensions, VA, bank interest (CD, IRA)

* Child support and/or alimony documents

* Lease, rent receipt, mortgage statements, tax bill or lot rent receipt.

* CL&P and/or Yankee Gas bill(s) in adult household member’s name.

* Landlord’s name, address and phone.

* All pages from your recent bank accounts statements showing name and account numbers 

    (checking & savings). Name of bank and account numbers must be on the printed statements.

* Financial aid forms for everyone in the household.

The Access Community Action Agency is the federal and state designated anti-poverty agency for Windham and Tolland Counties.  Access provides supplemental food, emergency shelter, energy assistance, energy conservation services, job and life skills training, youth mentoring, group homes, senior housing and more for low-income families and individuals.  For more information about Access’ services, call (860) 450-7400 in the Willimantic area, (860) 412-1600 in the Danielson area, or visit www.accessagency.org.