1. Energy Assistance in Vermont An Overview

2. Seasonal Fuel Assistance Funding – LIHEAP block grant Asset test – $3,000 (hh’s with 1 or more elderly) $2,000 (all other households) Income test – 125% FPL For primary home heating source only – paid directly to fuel supplier – Cannot be used for electric disconnects, special trip charges, repairs or equipment

3. Reduced benefit for “heated renters” – heat included in the rent 2005/2006 Statistics 20,454 households – 14,893 – fuel liability (pay for fuel directly) 486 – electricty as primary heat source – 1,488 – heated renters – 3,399 – public housing ($5 benefit) – 674 – roomers ($50 benefit)

4. Crisis Fuel Assistance Funding – LIHEAP block grant Administered by the CAP agencies Allowable Assets – elderly or disabled only – $1,500 – household of 1 – $2,250 – household of 2 or more Income test – 150% FPL

5. Less restrictions than Seasonal – Can be used for electric disconnects, special trip charges, pressure checks, start-up charges – Cannot be used for repairs, equipment or deposits Limit of 3 assists per household per season 2005/2006 Statistics 5,446 crisis grants (6,327 benefits) – 2,979 electric assists ($371,023)

6. Weatherization Funding – State Weatherization Trust Fund (79%) – Federal Department of Energy (21%) Administered by Office of Economic Opportunity – Services delivered by local non-profit agencies Asset test – None Income test – 60% SMI

7. Priority Scheme – Households with elderly and/or disabled and/or children under 5 – Highest energy needs Services Include – Insulation; draft sealing; heating system inspection and repair – Electricity efficiency meansures (working in conjunction w/Efficiency Vermont, Burlington Electric, and Vermont Gas

8. Emergency Heating System Repair and Replacement Grant Program Services available for rental properties – Co-investment requirement of the landlord 2004/2005 Statistics – 1,373 units weatherized 20% elderly 7% disabled 11% children under 5

10. WARMTH Funding – Donations from customers of 15 participating utilities Solicited with a bill insert twice during the heating season Washington Electric Coop Round-Up program – Significant number of members authorize WEC to round their bill up to the nearest $ - proceeds to the WARMTH program – $35,000 donated by Vermont Gas Systems (2006) To match WARMTH payments on VGS arrearages for eligible VGS households

11. Administered by the CAP agencies Available 10/1 – 5/31 Asset test – None Income test – 185% FPL

12. Not available to CVPS customers Can be used for any emergency – including small furnace repairs – Primarily used for electric disconnects $150 limit/assist; $450 seasonal limit (2005/2006) – $75 limit /assist; $225 seasonal limit (“usual” guidelines)

13. 2005/2006 Statistics – Over $200,000 in customer donations An all-time high – Over 2,300 fuel/utility assists to low-income households In excess of $165,000 WARMTH funds 2006/2007 – Beginning balance of $35,000

14. ShareHeat Funding – Managed by CVPS – Shareholders match customer donations Up to $50,000 per year Administered by the CAP agencies Available 9/1 – 6/30 $250 limit per household per season

15. Asset test – None Income test – 185% FPL Can be used for any heat related emergency – Primarily used for CVPS disconnects

16. Power Partners Program Funding – Green Mountain Power – $53,000 per year Assists GMP customers with their arrearages Available on a first come – first served basis – Until funds are exhausted CAP agencies determine eligibility

17. Asset test – None Income test – 200% FPL Seasonal Limit – Up to 25% of disconnect amount – One time per calendar year Customer pays 25% of disconnect amount by 4 th disconnect date – GMP provides matching 25% credit to prevent disconnection and customer must agree to make payment arrangement on remaining balance

18. Venezuelan Discount Oil Fuel oil available at a 40% discount Funding – Citgo (subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company Administered by CAP agencies & Citizen’s Energy of Massachusetts Available 11/1 – 2/28

19. Asset test – None Income test – 60% SMI One time delivery of up to 200 gallons – #2 fuel oil only LIHEAP benefits can be used for customer portion of the bill

20. 2005/2006 Statistics – Program wasn’t available until late in the season end of February – 1,417 deliveries – $605,500 total $242,200 paid by Citizen’s Energy

21. Neighbors in Need/Patch Chit Funding – Vermont Fuel Dealers Association – Civic/community organizations Administered by Vermont Fuel Dealers Assoc. Referrals – Fuel Office – CAP agencies – National Guard

22. Misc. Many local communities have established small “fuel funds” to help with low-income energy needs. – Generally accessed through the local CAP agency