Energy Assistance Still Available Through the Access Community Action Agency

Applications for energy assistance for the 2018-2019 heating season are still being accepted by the Access Community Action Agency. Funding for this program is provided by The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and is housed under the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). These CEAP funds are targeted to limited income families and seniors who need them the most. The Energy Assistance program is designed to offset winter heating costs for low-income (below 60% of state median income) households in Windham and Tolland counties. Benefits are determined by total household gross income and liquid assets. Deliverable-heated households may use benefits starting November 9th and ending April 1st. Utility-heated households (Eversource Energy, electric and gas) are eligible to participate in the matching payment programs and are protected from utility shut-off from November 9 through April 15. Access has served over 6,300 families this season thus far.

Program eligibility is determined by total household gross income and is available for all heated households using oil, kerosene, propane, wood, pellets, coal, electric, or natural gas heat except motor homes and campers.  Residents of Windham and Tolland counties can contact Access in Willimantic at 860-450-7423 or in Danielson at 860-412-1568 to make an appointment to determine eligibility and to find out what documentation they will need to bring to their appointments. Appointments are currently available during the agency’s normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Households that have received energy assistance in the past must reapply and bring in updated documentation to be eligible for the new heating season. Each applicant must bring in copies of their documentation and if there is missing documentation they will be rescheduled. This year, previous Access customers can create an account and schedule an appointment online at: https://accessagency.nexacomm.net/.

To apply for assistance, applicants must schedule an appointment and provide copies of the following documents for all household members 18 and over and not in school:

• Names, birthdates and proof of Social Security card numbers for all household members.
• Pay stubs if employed, (4 if paid weekly, 2 if paid bi-weekly), unemployment printout.
• If self-employed, Self-employment worksheet notarized with all schedules of the previous year tax returns.
• Letter for SS, SSI, SSDI, DSS readout for cash assistance and SNAP benefits.
• Proof of Child Support and/or Alimony documents.
• Rent Receipt/Lease, with name, address and telephone number of landlord.
• Mortgage statement or tax bill if property owner.
• Utility bill(s) with account numbers for the residence in household member’s name.
• All pages of recent bank account statements (checking & savings that reflects activity 30 days prior to application date) showing name and account numbers of all household members.
• Liquid Assets are assets that are readily convertible to cash, and include savings accounts, checking accounts, bonds, stocks/shares, certificates of deposit, annuities and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), provided the IRA’s accounts are in the name of a household member who is 59 ½ years old or older. Households must  provide verification of all liquid assets
• Letter from friend or relative if they give support money, must have an amount.
• If paid under the table a letter stating how much you were paid during the previous 4 weeks.
• Financial aid forms for everyone in the household.
• If a person in the household is receiving a pension we must have a letter from the pension plan or a 1099-R from the IRS.

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