Eligibility
Household Income Guidelines
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Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program helps households pay for primary heating bills. If the household’s primary heating costs are included in your rent, you may also apply for assistance.
Benefits are available to households with incomes up to sixty percent of the state median income
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Household Size – includes homeowners and renters that pay separately for heat, and renters whose heat is included in the rent, as long as more than 30% of gross income is paid towards rent. |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
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Under $36,171 |
Under $47,300 |
Under $58,430 |
Under $69,559 |
Under $80,688 |
Under $91,818 |
Under $93,905 |
Under $95,991 |
**A liquid assets test is an additional basic eligibility requirement. **
Liquid assets include: checking, savings, CD's, stocks/shares, bonds, annuities, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. Individual Retirement Accounts are considered to be liquid assets if the accounts are in the name of a household member who is 59-and-one-half years old or more. The purpose of the liquid assets test is to try to ensure that winter heating assistance dollars go to households most in need; that is, to people without the financial means to heat their home.
For homeowners, the first $15,000 in liquid assets, and for other households, the first $12,000 in liquid assets, is disregarded. Any amount over that limit, when added to the annual gross income must be below the income guidelines.
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Note: Any household in which all household members are participating in one or more of the following Department of Social Services programs are automatically considered income eligible for winter heating assistance benefits, but must meet all other eligibility requirements to receive benefits: Temporary Family Assistance, State Supplement to the Aged, Blind and Disabled, Refugee Cash Assistance Program. Mixed-income households (those receiving income from both DSS and non-DSS sources) are considered income-eligible for winter heating assistance benefits if the combined household annual gross income, including DSS cash benefits, remains within income guidelines.
Winter Heating Assistance - program dates
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11/13/2019 |
First day for fuel deliveries. |
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4/1/2020 |
Deadline for fuel authorizations. |
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5/1/2020 |
Last day that a household can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits unless the household is utility heated and has a shut off notice for its primary source of heat. |
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5/15/2020 |
Last day that a utility heated household with a shut-off notice for its primary heat can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits. |
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5/29/2020 |
Last day to submit deliverable fuel bills. |
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) benefits thousands of homeowners and renters throughout the state. Please check out the services explained on this website, as well as income and asset guidelines to see if you are eligible for CEAP.
A. Basic benefits for homeowners and renters who pay separately for heat:
A vulnerable household may receive more basic benefits than a non-vulnerable household. A vulnerable household may be eligible for up to $725 in basic winter heating benefits this winter, compared to $670 for a non-vulnerable household. Minimum basic benefit level is $340 for CEAP households.
· Up to $725 in winter heating assistance for ‘vulnerable’ households (Households which have one or more members who are elderly (age 60 or older), or who have a disability, or are under the age of 6.)
· Up to $670 in winter heating assistance for non-vulnerable households (Households with no member who is elderly (age 60 or older), or has a disability, or is under the age of 6.)
A range of basic benefit levels are built into Connecticut's winter heating assistance program. Once a household applies and is determined eligible for the program, the level of benefits is determined.
The exact level of basic benefits is determined by your household's income, the number of members, and whether there is a ‘vulnerable’ household member. Households with lower income levels are eligible for higher benefits.
B. Benefits for renters whose heat is included in the rent:
- From $150 to $190 in winter heating assistance
This level applies to households which do not make direct vendor payments for winter heating; In other words, renters whose heat is included in their rent, and who pay more than 30% of their gross income toward rent.