Keeping Connecticut homes heated during the winter can be expensive. However, since winters within the state are extremely cold (-17.2 to 40 C), living without heat due to shut offs can be life threatening. CEAP works with agencies throughout the state known as Community Action Centers to provide funds to disadvantaged households who cannot afford the high cost of heat in Connecticut.

Who Does CEAP Help?

CEAP (Connecticut Energy Assistant Program) helps both low-income homeowners and renters

The organization qualifies households whose income is below 60% of CT’s median income.

Vulnerable Individuals

Along with income, CEAP prioritizes vulnerable individuals:

• seniors (65+)
• young children (below 6)
• the disabled.

Funding

CEAP is able to offer high benefit levels with $135M in federal funds. This reserve is made possible by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant. This grant is provided by the federal government to benefit lower-income households who have to pay disproportionately high monthly amounts for home energy

CEAP and Community Action Centers

There is no centralized contact information (i.e. phone, email, mailing address) for the CEAP program.

Instead, the organization distributes heating assistance benefits through local Community Action Centers (and other partners) throughout Connecticut. Those who wish to apply for assistance must contact their nearest town agency directly.

Eligibility - Houshold Income, Vulnerability and Government Assistance

In addition to incomes at or below 60% of Connecticut’s mean, CEAP also considers:

• household income per person
• vulnerability status: age (younger than 6 and older than 65) and disability
• recipients of government benefits

Income eligibility also includes Individuals who meet CEAP’s basic qualifications and also participate in government assistance programs such as:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Family Assistance (TFA)
• State Supplement to the Aged, Blind and Disabled
• Refugee Cash Assistance Program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

CEAP Benefits

CEAP prioritizes the distribution of their benefits based on

• income level
• vulnerability

In other words, lower-income is prioritized for higher benefits. Likewise, vulnerable households will receive higher benefits than non-vulnerable households.

• up to $940 for non-vulnerable households

• up to $1015 for vulnerable households

Level of Benefits - Amounts Awarded

The minimum basic benefit level awarded by CEAP is $410. However, it can range to higher amounts.

• $410-$940 depending on income
• $475-$1015 if there is a vulnerable individual

CEAP offers other levels of assistance, depending on various other criteria.

• $225-$475 for renters whose heating is included in their rent (i.e. don’t pay utility vendors directly)
• $1010 (one time payment) for level 1-4 households who receive deliverable fuel for heat. These incomes are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• $550 maximum for level (5) households who receive deliverable fuels and qualify for Crisis Heating Assistance. These household incomes must be above 200% of the FPG, Federal Poverty Guidelines and up to 60% of the State Median Income.
• $700 max per delivery for deliverable fuel househouseholds who qualify for Safety Net Assistance

Crisis Assistance Program - For Homes Heated With Deliverable Fuels

Depending on available funding, Connecticut implements what is known as the Crisis Assistance Program.

This money is given to households who cannot afford basic heat and have used up their CEAP Basic Benefits (i.e. $410).

As described above, benefit amounts awarded will depend on household income type:

• level 1-4 households (income up to 200% of the FPG): awarded up to $1010
• level 5 housesholds: (income above 200% of the FPG and up to 60% of the SMI (State Median Income)

For this program, a crisis is a situation where a household cannot afford primary heat, leading to a life-threatening situation during the delivery period of their fuel. There are two main scenarios:

• home is completely without primary heating fuel
• home has been without primary heating fuel within a week’s time where the oil or kerosene supply is less than 70 gallons or 25% of their tank.

Faster eligibility processing (i.e. prioritized services, prompt eligibility processing) is available to homes completely without fuel or within a week of being with no fuel at the time of their application. 18 hours after determined eligible, they will receive authorization to have fuel delivered to their homes.

Safety Net Deliveries - Deliverable Fuel Funding After Exhausting Heat Benefits

As a last resort, households who have exhausted their CEAP basic benefits and their Crisis Assistance benefits (described previousl) may qualify for Safety Net Deliveries. The implementation of this program is subject to the availability of funds.

Eligible homes must be either vulnerable or non-vulnerable level 5 households. They will receive up to $700 per delivery.

• Vulnerable households can have up to 4 Safety Net Deliveries
• Non-vulnerable households can have up to 3 Safety Net Deliveries

Learn more about CEAP benefits on 211 of Connecticut