Applications for help paying fuel bills being taken
Funds remain available in two programs to help eligible Hillsborough or Rockingham County residents with energy bills during the current heating season, according to Louise Bergeron, Director of Energy Programs at Southern New Hampshire Services.
SNHS is the Community Action Agency for Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties.
“The recent cold snap has made access to these programs all the more essential,” said Bergeron. “We urge vulnerable residents to start the paperwork before their bills reach a crisis point.”
The Fuel Assistance Programs (FAP) runs through April 30, 2013.
People who are not currently receiving FAP benefits and are interested in Fuel Assistance must call for an appointment. Offices are open Monday through Friday in Manchester, Nashua and Peterborough, and offices in Milford and Hillsboro are open on scheduled days. Rockingham County has offices in five locations; their hours vary by location. Information on all offices is listed at the end of this story.
Fuel Assistance is open to both renters and homeowners. Eligibility is determined by family size and gross household income. Benefits are available to renters who pay for heat indirectly through rent and to owners in the form of credit with their heating supply vendor.
Senior citizens and others who are homebound may call to arrange for a home visit. Fuel assistance benefits are a grant and do not have to be repaid.
Fuel Assistance Program
Gross Income Guidelines
|
Household Size |
Monthly |
Annual* |
|
1 |
$1,836 |
$22,340 |
|
2 |
$2,487 |
$30,260 |
|
3 |
$3,138 |
$38,180 |
|
4 |
$3,789 |
$46,100 |
|
5 |
$4,440 |
$54,020 |
|
6 |
$5,091 |
$61,940 |
|
7 |
$5,742 |
$69,860 |
|
8 |
$6,276 |
$76,355 |
*Benefits based on monthly income in most cases
Income guidelines may increase in the spring.
Electrical Assistance Program
Electric Assistance applications are taken year round. The program provides qualifying PSNH and National Grid electric customers with discounts on their monthly bills. Renters, subsidized renters and homeowners who receive an electric bill may apply for the EAP. Eligibility is determined by total household income, the number of household members and funding available. The application can be taken at the same time as the Fuel Assistance Program application. There are currently openings in this program. Income guidelines for this program are different from those of the Fuel Assistance Program.
Clients who qualify by income will be enrolled right away. There is no wait list at this time.
“People struggling to cover their energy costs have options,” said Bergeron. “There are a number of programs available that could help them. We encourage them to contact our office so we can see if help is available.”
Southern New Hampshire Services: Energy Assistance Offices
| Location | Address | Days Open | Times | Phone Numbers |
| Manchester | 160 Silver St. | Mon-Fri (Year Round) | 8:30am-4:30pm | (603) 647-4470 or (800) 322-1073 |
| Nashua | 134 Allds St. | Mon-Fri (Year Round) | 8:30am-4:30pm | (603) 889-3440 or (877) 211-0723 |
| Peterborough | 46 Concord St. (The River Center) | Monday through Friday | Call for times | (603) 924-2243 or (877) 757-7048 |
| Hillsboro | 63 West Main St. | Monday and Friday | Call for times | (603) 924-2243 or (877) 757-7048 |
| Milford | Library Annex | Tuesday and Thursday | Call for times | (603) 924-2243 or (877) 757-7048 |
Rockingham Community Action: Energy Assistance Offices
| Location | Address | Days Open | Times | Phone Numbers |
| Derry | 9 Crystal Ave. | Mon-Fri (Year Round) | 8:30am-4:30pm | (603) 965-3029 or (855) 295-4105 |
| Portsmouth | 4 Cutts St. | Mon-Fri (Year Round) | 8:30am-4:30pm | (603) 436-3896 or (800) 639-3896 |
| Raymond | 55 Prescott Rd. | Mon-Fri (Year Round) | 8:30am-4:30pm | (603) 895-2303 or (800) 974-2303 |
| Salem | 33 Geremonty Dr. (Salem Town Hall | Monday, Wednesday & Friday | 8:30am-4:30pm | (603) 893-9172 or (800) 939-9172 |
| Seabrook | 683 Lafayette Rd. | Mon-Fri (Year Round) | 8:30am-4:30pm | (603) 474-3507 or (800) 979-3507 |
