Governor Hassan Announces New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program to Open November 14

Press Release

Governor Hassan announced today that the New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program (FAP), which helps vulnerable Granite State families with their heating bills, will open this year on November 14.

Also known as LIHEAP or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, FAP provides assistance to New Hampshire families and seniors whose annual household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a family of four this year, that means an annual maximum income of $48,600. The average FAP benefit for eligible families this winter, based on the federal grant award, is expected to be approximately $645.

"The Fuel Assistance Program provides critical support to Granite families struggling to pay heating bills, helping to keep homes warm and protect the health and safety of our citizens during the cold winter months," Governor Hassan said. "I thank the Office of Energy and Planning and the state's Community Action Agencies for their work in delivering these important services to families in need, and I encourage those who qualify to apply as soon as possible to ensure that they can receive fuel deliveries before colder weather arrives to New Hampshire."

New Hampshire has received notification of $25,381,123 in federal LIHEAP funding for the Fuel Assistance Program under the current continuing resolution. Additional funding for the program may be released once the federal budget is approved by Congress. New Hampshire's funding level has remained relatively stable for the last year few years, allowing the program to serve 32,082 households last year with an average benefit of $646.

The program will open two weeks earlier this year than the standard December 1 opening date because the federal funds have been released and New Hampshire's state and local agencies are prepared to launch the program.

Fuel Assistance Program benefits are a supplement to a household's annual fuel needs. For general information about the program, visit http://www.nh.gov/oep/energy/programs/fuel-assistance/index.htm. For contact information for the Community Action Agencies and intake locations, visit http://www.nh.gov/oep/energy/programs/fuel-assistance/agencies.htm, or call 211.

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