OPERATION FUEL: 2012-2013

WHAT IS OPERATION FUEL?

Operation Fuel (www.operationfuel.org/) provides cash assistance for heating expenses for households with incomes at or below 60% of the State Median Income guidelines who are in crisis. Local fuel banks assess client eligibility and make payments to vendors. Operation Fuel is a private charitable program.

BENEFIT AMOUNT: Operation Fuel awards grants for the Winter, Spring and Summer seasons. The grants are used for heat and non-heat source expenses. Amount of assistance is up to the discretion of the local fuel bank. Payments are made directly to fuel or utility vendors.  Note: Spring and Summer programs provide assistance for gas and electric utilities only.

ELIGIBILITY:

• Household income at or below 60% of the State Median Income
• Must have exhausted, or been denied or are ineligible, for state heating assistance benefits
• Heating oil customers may apply if they are out of oil and are unable to get an appointment for state heating assistance benefits for at least 30 days.
• Applicants may apply if they have experienced a job loss, and are collecting, or have exhausted, unemployment benefits, or have very limited income (such as disability, Social Security, etc.)
• A household must be in an extreme emergency or financial crisis situation. A "financial crisis" is considered to be a situation in which a family must choose between paying for their energy needs, buying food, paying the rent or mortgage, or paying medical bills as a result of unemployment, illness, death, or other emergencies.

HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE:

• Call your local Operation Fuel fuel bank and make an appointment for an energy assistance assessment.

TIMETABLE: Applications are accepted starting December 3, 2012 for the Winter Program.

CONTRIBUTING TO OPERATION FUEL:
Operation Fuel is funded by direct private donations, state dollars, and the Add-a-Dollar program through gas and electric utility companies. Through the Add-a-Dollar program, utility customers can choose to add a dollar to their utility payments. All Add-a-Dollar contributions are matched by the utility company, effectively doubling the customers' contributions for Operation Fuel.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:

• Search by program name: Operation Fuel

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SOURCE: Operation Fuel fact sheets;Operation Fuel website
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: November2012