Crisis Fuel & Utility

Crisis Fuel and Utility Assistance helps people stay warm and keep the power on. Fuel and utility costs are a major struggle for many households. Three major programs, SEASONAL FUEL,CRISIS FUEL and SHAREHEAT, help with deliveries of fuel or to avoid power disconnection.

Staff conduct outreach and help people apply for Vermont's SEASONAL FUEL program, which helps to pay for heating fuels. Last heating season, more than 18,000 Vermonters benefited from this program. Application can be made throughout the heating season until the end of February. People who have heat included in their rent can also apply. Benefit amounts are determined using a number of factors, including income, resources, fuel type, size of dwelling and date of application. This program is administered by the Office of Home Heating Fuel Assistance with benefits being paid directly to fuel suppliers or to renters with heat included.

The CRISIS FUEL program uses federal funds granted to the State of Vermont. BROC, as well as the other 4 Community Action Agencies in Vermont, administer this program under contract with Vermont's Office of Home Heating Fuel Assistance. This program usually starts up on the fourth Monday in November each year. Eligibility for assistance considers all income in the household and resources but allows for deductions including an amount of earnings, for payment of child support, for example, and allows for a deduction if someone is elderly or disabled. Extenuating or unpredictable circumstances must be present as well, such that avoiding a fuel emergency could not be have been prevented. Last heating season, households were assisted more than 750 times with heating and utility emergencies in our area (and more than 5,000 times statewide). The program is usually available through the end of April each year.

SHAREHEAT is another important program that helps Vermonters deal with heating and utility emergencies. Supported by donations and matched with funds from the stockholders of CVPS, Vermont's largest electric utility, help can be provided to individuals and families who do not qualify for the Crisis Fuel program. Eligibility is based on income and also considers other factors, such as illness, if someone is elderly, or if there is a special hardship.

All households are helped with establishing budgets for payment of fuel and utility costs and are provided information on energy conservation, including referral to our Energy Conservation and Weatherization program.