Heat, Energy and Water Assistance Programs in Vermont

Low-income Vermonters can apply now to get help with electricity costs through the Green Mountain Power Energy Assistance Program.

Who is Eligible?

1. You must be a Green Mountain Power customer, and
2. Your total gross household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.

How to Apply

1. Fill out the application form.
   Print the Green Mountain Power Energy Assistance Program application form OR call Vermont Economic Services Division (1-800-775-0516) and leave a message with the address where you want the form to be sent.
2. Attach a copy of your most recent electric bill.
   The bill will not be returned to you, so you may want to send a copy and keep the original.
3. Return your completed application to:
   DCF – Economic Services Division
   Application & Document Processing Center
   280 State Drive
   Waterbury, VT 05671-1500

How Much Help Can I Get?

If the Vermont Economic Services Division says that you are eligible for help, you will get a 25% discount off of the monthly charge for the first 600 kilowatt hours of energy you used. It could save you up to $300 in one year.

Questions?

If you have questions or need help applying:

• call Vermont’s Economic Services Division at 1-800-775-0516, or
• call Vermont’s Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 if you are aged 60 and older.

If you have questions about your Green Mountain Power bill:

• call Green Mountain Power at 1-888-835-4672, or
• contact Green Mountain Power online.

Once you’re enrolled in the program, you must call Economic Services (1-800-775-0516) to report any changes to your household income or household members within 10 business days of the change.

If you do not report changes right away, you will no longer be eligible for the program. Legal action may be taken against you for discounts you should not have received.

You must apply for this program every year.

Low-income Vermonters can apply now for a 20% discount off your monthly natural gas bill through the Vermont Gas Energy Assistance Program.

Who is Eligible?

1. You must be a residential customer of Vermont Gas Systems, and
2. Your gross monthly household income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

How to Apply

1. Fill out the application form.
   Find the application form on this page or call Economic Services at 1-800-775-0516 and leave a message with the address where the application should be sent.
2. Attach a copy of your most recent gas bill.
   The bill will not be returned to you, so you may want to send a copy and keep the original.
3. Send your completed application to:
   DCF – Economic Services Division
   Application & Document Processing Center
   280 State Drive
   Waterbury, VT 05671-1500

Questions?

If you have questions or need help applying:

• call Vermont’s Economic Services Division at 1-800-775-0516, or
• call Vermont’s Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 if you are aged 60 and older.

If you have questions about your Vermont Gas bill:

• call Vermont Gas at 1-800-639-8081, or
• contact Vermont Gas online.

If Your Household Size or Income Changes

Once you’re enrolled in the program, you must report any changes to your household income or household members within 10 business days of the change. To report a change, call 1-800-775-0516.

If you do not report changes right away, you will not be eligible for the program any more. Legal action may be taken against you for discounts you should not have received.

You must apply for this program every year.

You may be able to get help with your fuel bills with one of these programs.

1. The Fuel Assistance program (also known as home heating assistance or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)) can help pay part of your home heating bills.

Who is Eligible?

You may be able to qualify if you:

• rent a home or apartment
• own your home
• pay for heat directly or as part of rent
• rent a room in someone's home
• live in public, subsidized, or Section 8 housing and rent includes the cost of heat.

You may be eligible if your gross household income is equal to or less than 185% of the federal poverty level, based on household size. Your household’s resources (such as savings, retirement accounts, or property) are not considered.

How to Apply

Visit the Fuel Assistance program website for more information and links to the paper and online applications.

2. The Crisis Fuel Program is for Vermonters experiencing a heating crisis.

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible if your gross household income is equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

How to Apply

Learn more on the Crisis Fuel Program website or apply for it at your local Community Action Agency.

Do you own your home?

See if the Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program (VHAP) can help with your heating fuel bills and other expenses.

The State of Vermont has new rules for oil and kerosene storage tanks that are found inside and outside residential buildings. Tanks must be inspected at least once every three years. Tanks must also be inspected before they are filled by a new fuel company. Red tags will be attached to tanks that do not meet minimum safety requirements. Fuel companies are not allowed to deliver fuel to a red-tagged tank until it has been repaired or replaced.

Homeowners and landlords may be able to get help to replace or repair a red-tagged or unsafe fuel tank.

1. If your annual household income is $65,000 or less, the State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Financial Assistance Program may be able to help you. The amount you can get is based on your income and household size. It ranges from $250 to $2,000.
2. The Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity also has money available for tank repairs and replacement. Contact your local Community Action Agency for more information.
3. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has a program for seniors and low-income households. For seniors living outside the Burlington metro area, it can provide up to $7,500 in grant money. For other rural Vermonters, it can provide up to a $20,000 low-interest loan.
4. The low-interest VGreen Energy Improvement Loan offered by VSECU can also be used to finance a replacement tank.

Generally, it can cost $100 to $1,000 to repair or stabilize a tank. It can cost $1,500 to $2,000 to replace a tank. You can ask for an estimate from a heating service company.

If you rent and have a problem with a red-tagged or unsafe fuel tank where you live, contact us. Fill out our form and we will call you back. Your information will be sent to Legal Services Vermont, which screens requests for help for both Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont. You can also call us at 1-800-889-2047.

Weatherization means to make your home more efficient at heating and keeping heat in the home.

Efficiency Vermont works with local Community Action Agencies to help low-income Vermonters save energy and lower costs. Visit the Department for Children and Families Weatherization page to find out how to apply.

Another option is to schedule a home energy assessment.

Visit the Efficiency Vermont website to see what kinds of rebates you can get when you buy energy-efficient furnaces and appliances. When something is energy-efficient, it could save you money on your monthly utility bills.

Household Water Assistance is a federally-funded program that helps low-income Vermonters with their water and wastewater bills.

Who is eligible?

• You must pay for water and/or wastewater services.
• Your gross household income must be less than 60% of the state median income, based on household size.
• Priority will be given to households whose water/wastewater has been disconnected or is at risk of being disconnected.

If eligible, the program may help with:

• past-due water bills, back charges and fees, and a potential one-time future payment.

How to Apply

• You can either print the application or download it, complete it and then sign it.
• Include a copy of a current water/wastewater bill with your name on it.
• Mail your application and supporting document(s) to: Economic Services Division, Vermont Department for Children and Families, Application & Document Processing Center, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1500.

Learn more about Household Water Assistance on the Department for Children and Families website.