Citizens Energy (Joe 4 Oil) Heat Program 100 Gallons of Free Heating Oil (Not All States check article/Help With Natural Gas Program KY, OH & PA/LIHEAP Program To Help With Electric Bills)

Oil Heat Program

The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program has delivered millions of gallons of discount home heating oil to poor and elderly households in Massachusetts and other cold weather states since 1979.  This unique program helps protect needy families from volatile heating oil prices, which often leave households having to choose between heating the home and paying for other life essentials, such as food, health care, or clothing.

Does your State Participate?

States that are highlighted in blue participate in the Oil Heat Program.  To learn about how to apply for help through the Oil Heat Program, click on the Need Assistance link above.  To find links to other heating assistance and energy efficiency resources in your state, click on your state on the map.

What is the Oil Heat Program?

In partnership with CITGO, Citizens Energy works with thousands of oil heat dealers and local fuel assistance agencies in 17 states to provide deliveries of home heating oil to those in need.  This year the Oil Heat Program provided eligible families a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil. Why is the Program Needed? In states like Massachusetts, heating oil prices have increased by about 175% since 2000, yet the wages for low-income families and individuals have remained stagnant.  The federal government provides some help to low-income families struggling to stay warm during the winter through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), but this assistance reaches only about one in five eligible families.  And many other working poor families who do not qualify for federal assistance programs still need help from time to time.

Low-income families have little choice but to cut back on food, medicine, and other life essentials when their home energy costs rise.  Bad choices lead to bad outcomes.  When the heating bills of poor families rise, studies show they often reduce their spending on food by about the same amount, and it is no surprise that cases of undernourished children increase by about one-third during winter months.

The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program works to provide struggling families with a bit of relief when temperatures hit freezing and high heating oil prices force families to make difficult and often unsafe trade-offs.

1. TERM OF PROGRAM

a. The Program will begin January 5, 2009 and will continue to take applications until February 28, 2009 or until funds are exhausted. Dealers have until April 30, 2009 to complete all deliveries.

2. PROGRAM SUMMARY

a. Assistance from the Program for approved Households consists of a one-time delivery of up to 100 gallons of Product defined below; and for Buildings, Shelters and Tribes, deliveries up to their specified grant award ("Approved number of gallons").
b. Approved Households are to receive ONE (1) delivery ONLY.

3. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

a. Each potential Customer must call the Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program toll-free number and apply for the program. Citizens shall approve Customers in its sole discretion ("Approved Customers").
b. Upon approval, a letter authorizing delivery will be faxed, emailed or mailed by Citizens Energy to the Approved Customer's Dealer and, for Approved Households only, an Approval Voucher will be sent to the Approved Customer.

4. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

a. Dealer agrees to deliver only product of the quality, and meeting the specifications following:

• #2, #4 or #6 Heating Oil
• Kerosene
• Kerosene / #2 Heating Oil Blend

• Bio Fuel

Participating 17 States are:

AK, CT, DC, DE, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI

Jan 5th 2009 - Feb 28th 2009 Call 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877.563.4645) To Apply

Last Year you could apply online, I am not sure yet if you can this year.

Natural Gas
Every year, Citizens Energy provides assistance to thousands of low-income natural gas customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky who struggle to pay their utility bills.

The Natural Gas Assistance Program began in the early 1980s when Citizens Energy launched the first independent natural gas marketing operation in the country and use the profits from the sale of gas to local distribution companies to fund energy assistance programs for need customers.

For nearly two decades, more than $20 million in natural gas assistance funds have helped about 150,000 households avoid utility shut-offs in these states.

LIHEAP - To help with your electric bill - Go to the page and click on the information next to your state name.

Or go to http://www.liheap.org/ which has information on the homepage. I thought the program was national so even if your state is not listed below you might want to still check.

 

 

Useful Links 

We got the 100 gallons of oil last year and it was really helpful. We are also in the LIHEAP program and if you pay your electric bill on time they also pay something toward it. These programs can be a lifesaver for people who are low income.