FAQs

• What are the different ways I can apply for CEAP?
  Answer:

  You can apply online, on the phone, by email, by mail, or in person at your local Community Action Agency (CAA).

  • Apply online: Online applications are now open. Click here to get started .
  • Apply by phone: Call your local Community Action Agency and request assistance applying for CEAP over the phone (see ‘Phone Number’ below).
  • Apply by email: Download and complete the CEAP application. Email your complete application and required documents to your local Community Action Agency (see ‘Email Address’ below).
  • Apply by mail: Download and complete the CEAP application. Mail your completed application and required documents to your local Community Action Agency (see ‘Mail/ing Address’ below).
  • Apply in person: Call your local Community Action Agency and schedule an in-person appointment or walk-in (no appointment needed). Remember to review the CEAP application before your appointment and bring all of your required documents to your appointment.
• Am I eligible for CEAP?
  Answer:

  Your household may be eligible for CEAP if each of you can answer YES to the following questions. As a reminder, your household includes every person who lives in your home (including your children, spouse, grandparents, roommates, etc.):

  • You are a Connecticut resident
  • If you or any person in your household receive any of the following benefits: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplement for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (State Supp),  Refugee Cash Assistance and/ or qualifying means-tested Veteran's benefits or 
  • If your gross annual household income falls at or below the income levels in the table (i.e. 60% of the state’s median income) 
  • Homeowner - A person who owns their own home.
  • Renter – A tenant or a person who rents their dwelling (apartment, home or mobile home).

   

• What are the required documents?
  Answer:

  A1. Documentation of your Primary Source of Heat.

  Primary source of heat is the principal fuel source used by the household to heat its dwelling unit.
  Deliverable Fuel is one of the following fuel-types: oil, propane, kerosene, wood (including pellets), or coal.
  Utility is defined as primary heat source that is fueled by either natural gas or electricity.

  • All applicants are required to submit copies of their most recent electric bill regardless of heat source.
  • If utilities are covered in your rent, then a copy of your rental lease showing utility(ies) are included in rent is required. 

  A2. Income Documentation

  Income is defined as gross salaries and wages, tips, pensions, social security and supplemental security income, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, alimony, child support, lottery winnings, self-employment income, etc.
  Gross Annual Income is the total income, before taxes, for the household and is used to determine eligibility under CEAP. 

  • If you or anyone in your household is employed, you must provide: A copy or photo of pay stubs that show income from four (4) consecutive weeks anytime in the last three (3) months, or a signed letter from payroll department/employer stating your income in this time period.

   A3.  Additional Documents (as needed):

  Depending on your situation, you may need to provide additional documents. If any of the below apply, download and complete the form(s) before you start your online application. You will be asked to upload a photo or copy of the completed form as part of your application.

  • Zero Income Form: Complete this form if your household has had no income for the last four weeks or longer.
  • Affidavit Certifying Non-Receipt of Child Support Payments: Complete this form if your household includes children who have one or more non-custodial parents who are not paying child support.
  • Certification of Disability: Complete this form if you or a household member have a disability but do not receive disability benefits like SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the State Supplement for Aged, Blind, or Disabled.
  • Order of Emancipation: If under the age of 18 and is an emancipated minor, you must provide proof of emancipation.
• What are the important dates I should know?
  Answer: Remember that CEAP is an annual benefit, so you need to apply each year to receive assistance.  Please refer to Heating Help - Connecticut Heat Assistance Programs for important dates.
• How can I check my application status after applying?
  Answer: Once you have submitted your online application, please contact your local community action agency to request a status update within seven (7) business days. We ask that you sign into the CEAP online portal to confirm receipt of your application.
• How long before I receive notification regarding my application
  Answer: You have the right to have a determination notice postmarked within forty-five (45) days upon receipt of your application (excluding state-designated holidays). If you do not receive a determination notice within forty-five (45) days, call the CAA.
• How will I receive benefits if my household is eligible?
  Answer:

  A1. Deliverable Fuel:

  • You must contact the CAA, to request a fuel delivery.
  • Deliveries must be made to the service address listed on your energy assistance application.
  • Payments are directly paid to your fuel supplier, if the delivery was authorized by the CAA and within your benefit amount.

  A2. Utility Heated Households:

  • The CEAP Benefit award payment will be sent directly to your utility company.

  A3.  Households with Heat Included in Rent (Rental Assistance)

  • This benefit is provided to those income qualified households where heat is included in their rent payment and owner-occupied dwelling units that do not have their primary source of heat individually metered or separately billed to their household.
  • The rental assistance benefit payment will be sent to your household.
• What communication should I expect after applying?
  Answer: You have the right to have a determination notice postmarked within forty-five (45) days upon receipt of your application (excluding state-designated holidays). If you do not receive a determination notice within forty-five (45) days, call the CAA.
• What if my energy provider is not approved for CEAP?
  Answer: Please contact your CAA for more information.
• What if I need assistance to complete my application?
  Answer: Please remember there are other ways to fill out an application which include contacting your CAA or downloading a paper application and mailing it in.
• Should I resubmit my application if I do not hear back
  Answer: No. Please contact your CAA to check on the status of your application.
• How do I apply for other programs like food assistance?
  Answer: For more information regarding other DSS program please visit the link below
  Connecticut Department of Social Services
• What devices can I use to complete the online application?
  Answer: Desktop, laptop and mobile devices can be used. 
• Application Process Overview
  Answer: The Online Application is the start of the energy assistance process. You are asked to provide complete, and accurate, information for each member of your household. While you can still submit, it will significantly delay determining your eligibility, and you will be asked to send us additional information before we can make a determination. 
  
  Note: We have up to 45 days from the date we receive your information to determine your eligibility. If you are out of fuel, please call your local community action agency and schedule an appointment.
• Why do you need all this information especially if I already receive DSS benefits?
  Answer: We are required to verify applicants’ eligibility. Eligibility is determined not only by income, but also programmatic eligibility, and based on information about the entire household. For these programs, this includes, among other things, verification of your heating information.
  
  Failure to provide complete information will delay application processing. Without complete information, we can’t determine if you qualify for benefits.
• What Happens After Submission?
  Answer: Once you hit submit, your application is virtually sent to your local Community Action Agency. They will review all the information that you’ve provided and see if you’re eligible. You should receive a determination letter within forty-five days of applying for assistance.
• Will I Receive Follow-Up Communication?
  Answer: You may receive follow-up communications either by email, phone, or mail, regarding your application. You will have ten days to submit any follow-up documentation, so it’s best if you reply right away.
• What Happens Once I’m Approved?
  Answer: If you’re approved for benefits, the next steps depend on what kind of assistance you receive.
  
  For gas and electric-heated households, you’ll receive a credit on your account.
  
  For deliverable-fuel heated households, you’ll receive instructions on how to request fuel deliveries from the community action agency. All fuel funded by CEAP must be requested by the agency, and not the applicant.
• What if I Move During the Program Year?
  Answer: Unfortunately, we cannot take multiple applications through the portal. You’d need to contact the CAA directly to apply at your new address.
• What if My Household Composition Changes During the Program Year?
  Answer: If you move out of your house, or if someone in your household moves into, or out of, your household, you need to contact your local CAA. You cannot use the portal to address this issue.
• Where do I find my CAA contact information?
  Answer:

  Community Action Agency Contact Information

  Check the map to find your Community Action Agency, then check the table for contact information (email address, phone number, and website). 

  

  Connecticut Energy Assistance Program Contact Information
  Agency	Area Covered	Phone Number	E-Mail
  ACCESS Home - Access Community Action Agency	Greater Willimantic 1315 Main Street Willimantic, CT 06226	(860) 450-7400 (Press zero to connect with a customer support representative.)	cathy.whitehead@accessagency.org
  	Greater Danielson 231 Broad Street Danielson, CT 06239	(860) 412-1600 (Press zero to connect with a customer support representative.)
  ALLIANCE Welcome to Alliance - Alliance for Community Empowerment	Greater Bridgeport 1070 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604	(203) 366-8241 (Press zero to connect with a customer support representative.) (203) 384-6904 (IVR)	energy@alliancect.org
  	Greater Norwalk 108 Main Street Norwalk, CT 06854	(203) 366-8241 (Press zero to connect with a customer support representative.) (203) 384-6904 (IVR)
  CAANH Home - Community Action Agency of New Haven	Greater New Haven 419 Whalley Avenue New Haven, CT 06511	(203) 387-7700 (Live Customer Support) (203) 285-8018 (IVR)	energyapplications@caanh.net
  CAAWC Community Action Agency of Western CT | CAAWC	Greater Danbury 78 Triangle Street Danbury, CT 06810	(203) 748-5422 (Press zero to connect with a customer support representative.)	energy@caawc.org
  	Greater Stamford 34 Woodland Avenue Stamford, CT 06902	(203) 357-0720 (Press zero to connect with a customer support representative.)
  CRT Community Renewal Team - Community Renewal Team	Greater Hartford 395 Wethersfield Avenue Hartford, CT 06114	(860) 560-2694 (Live Customer Support) (860)-560-5800 (IVR)	crtenergyapplication@crtct.org
  	Greater Middletown 32 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457	(860) 347-4465 (Live Customer Support) (860) 560-5800 (IVR)
  HRA Human Resources Agency (HRA) of New Britain, CT	Bristol Energy Office 55 South Street Bristol, CT 06010	(860) 584-2725 (Live Customer Support) (860) 356-2000 (IVR)	energyapp@hranbct.org
  	New Britain Energy Office 336 Arch Street New Britain, CT 06051	(860) 225-1084 (Live Customer Support) (860) 356-2000 (IVR)
  New Opportunities, Inc. (NOI) New Opportunities	Greater Meriden 22 Church Street Meriden, CT 06450	(203) 639-5060 Ext 410 (Live Customer Support) (203) 235-0278 (IVR)	energy@newoppinc.org
  	Greater Waterbury 232 North Street Waterbury, CT 06702	(203) 575-4255 (Live Customer Support) (203) 756-8151 (IVR)
  	Greater Torrington 62 Commercial Blvd. Torrington, CT 06790	(860) 496-0622 (Live Customer Support) (860) 482-9749 (IVR)
  TEAM TEAM INC | Strengthening Communities - Making A Difference	Derby-Milford 30 Elizabeth Street Derby, CT 06418	(203) 736-5420 (Press three to connect with a customer support representative.)	energy@teaminc.org
  TVCCA Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. - Here for good	New London 83 Huntington Street New London, CT 06320	(860) 425-6563 (Live Customer Support) (860) 425-6681 (IVR)	ess@tvcca.org
  	Norwich 401 West Thames Norwich, CT 06360	(860) 425-6563 (Live Customer Support) (860) 425-6681 (IVR)

  
  
• How are CEAP applications prioritized?
  Answer: Households shall receive “prioritized services” if they meet the following criteria: 

  • Heat with a deliverable fuel;
  • Are without heating fuel or are within one week of being without heating fuel; and
  • Submit a completed application during the program period in which fuel deliveries may be authorized.
  • Prioritized services include processing of completed applications within twenty-four (24) hours, or on the next business day, to determine eligibility. A deliverable fuel heated household that is determined eligible under these circumstances shall receive a fuel delivery authorization no later than eighteen (18) hours after the household has been determined eligible.