OPERATION FUEL: 2011-2012

WHAT IS OPERATION FUEL?

Operation Fuel (www.operationfuel.org/) provides cash assistance for heating expenses for households with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level 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 heating 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 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
• 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 assessment.

TIMETABLE: Applications are accepted starting November 14, 2011 for Winter Program and April 9, 2012 for Spring Program.  Start date for Summer Program to be determined.

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: November2011