Operation Fuel
WHAT IS OPERATION FUEL?
Operation Fuel (https://operationfuel.org/about/how-we-help/) offers emergency energy assistance for heating expenses for households who meet program guidelines with incomes at or below 100% of the State Median Income guidelines who are in crisis. Such assistance shall be given in accordance with these guidelines but with flexibility to meet human needs. Local fuel banks assess client eligibility and make payments to vendors. Households are able to apply to the program directly online as well.
BENEFIT AMOUNT: Operation Fuel awards grants for the Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall seasons. The grants are used for heat and non-heat source expenses. Amount of assistance is based on funding available.
ELIGIBILITY:
- ELECTRIC OR GAS UTILITY: To qualify for a grant toward their electric or gas bills, applicants must have at least one of the following criteria: a shut-off notice, have no utility service, must need assistance with making a required payment to maintain a payment arrangement, or have a past due balance of 30 days or more. Households will be eligible for this program even if they received a grant for their primary heat through the CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). That said, Operation Fuel encourages eligible residents to seek CEAP assistance before applying to Operation Fuel.
- Total household income is within 75% state median income. For hardship coding and/or electric and gas hardship programs, household income cannot exceed 60% of state median income.
- Applicant has not received an Operation Fuel energy assistance grant during the 12-month period of which they are applying. In other words, if a client received a grant on August 22, 2023, he/she is not eligible for an Operation Fuel grant until August 22, 2024.
- Applicant has made a total of 4 payments within the 12-month period of which they are applying. 3 payments throughout the year and 1 payment during the winter moratorium. Applicant must show a pattern of payments. If applicant makes all 4 payments within one month or days prior to applying, they will not qualify. Some emergency examples can include but are not limited to the following:
- Client is suffering from job loss and is collecting unemployment or exhausted unemployment benefits.
- Client’s health is threatened (such as needing utility to refrigerate medications or baby formula).
- Client needs utility to keep medical equipment operational.
HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE:
CONTRIBUTING TO OPERATION FUEL:
Operation Fuel is funded by direct private donations, state funding, and the Add-a-Dollar program through utility companies. Through the Add-a-Dollar program, utility customers can choose to add a dollar to their utility payments. Individuals can find out more about all donation options including ways to donate to Operation Fuel directly on the Operation Fuel website.
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SOURCE: Operation Fuel fact sheets; Operation Fuel website
PREPARED BY: 211/nl
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2023
