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Help with Winter Utility and Fuel Bills

A Resource Guide

Here is a list of some of the programs in Maine that may be able to help with your utility and fuel costs.

2 1 1 Maine

In addition to the programs listed below, there may be other local resources available from organizations such as The Salvation Army, Red Cross, local churches or community organizations. For more information about local energy initiatives in Maine, contact 211Maine. They can be contacted by phone by dialing 211 or on the web at www.211maine.org



Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP or Fuel Assistance)

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LIHEAP helps both homeowners and renters with their heating costs. Household income must be lower than 200% of the poverty level. (This equals about $2,334 per month for a family of 2 in 2008.) If anyone in the household is over age 60, below age 2, or has a health condition that puts them at risk of hypothermia then the income limit can be higher - 230% of poverty level. (This equals about $2,684 per month for a family of 2 in 2008.)

If heat is included in your rent, you can still get help. If you apply and get even a little bit of help, then your monthly Food Stamps benefit may go up. If you get LIHEAP then you may also get lower electric rates.

To Apply: You can apply for LIHEAP through your local Community Action Program. You need to bring proof of income, social security numbers, and your address. You can use a utility bill to prove your address.

Note: If you live in Lincoln County, Sagadahoc County, Brunswick, Harpswell, Pownal, or Lincoln, apply to MaineHousing not your local CAP.

More information


Weatherization and Furnace Repair or Replacement (CHIP)

  • Gives grants to homeowners and renters for weatherization and/or repair or replacement of central heating system.
  • Income guidelines are the same as for LIHEAP (see above).

To Apply: You can apply for LIHEAP and you will be considered for this program. You can also contact your local Community Action Program .

More information


Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)

You can get this help once per heating season for emergency fuel or to avoid electricity cut-off. You must get LIHEAP (see above) to get ECIP.

To Apply: Apply at your local Community Action Program.


Low-Income Assistance Plan (LIAP)


  • LIAP helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for electricity costs by lowering their electric bills.
  • If you get LIHEAP, then you may be able to get help from LIAP as well.
  • Please note that people who get a rent subsidy (help paying their rent) may not be able to get help from LIAP.

To Apply: You can apply for LIHEAP and LIAP through your local Community Action Program.

More information


Maine Home Repair Network

This program gives 1% mortgages or 0% deferred/forgivable mortgages (i.e. 0% interest rate with no monthly payment) to low-income homeowners for necessary home repairs.

With just one application, you can apply to both state and federal programs that fund renovations or repairs such as:

  • Wells and septic system repairs or replacements
  • Heating and electrical system repairs
  • Roof and chimney repairs
  • Structural repairs
  • Lead paint mitigation
  • Repair or replacement of windows and doors
  • Energy efficiency improvements
  • Repair or replacement of siding
  • Handicap accessibility improvements
  • Other health and safety repairs

To Apply: For more information, call your local Community Action Program or go to the Maine Housing site here.


Pine Tree Legal Assistance Heating News post updates throughout the heating season on resources that are known to them.



Other Programs That Can Help You


Alternative Aid (AA)


  • Helps families with children.
  • Family cannot be getting TANF. Families must meet some TANF eligibility criteria such as deprivation (one parent out of the home, one parent disabled, one parent unemployed).
  • To get aid, the family must need the help to keep a job or get a job.
  • AA can help with many things, like car repairs, housing costs, etc.
  • AA can provide up to 3 times the monthly TANF benefit. This equals about $1,455 for a family of 3.
  • You can only get Alternative Aid once every 12 months.
  • Family income limit is 133% of the federal poverty limit. (The equals about $2,030 per month for a family of 3.)

To Apply: You can apply for AA at your local DHHS office.

More information


Emergency Assistance (EA)

  • Helps families with children under age 21.
  • Family income must be less than 100% of the federal poverty limit. This equals about $1,526 per month for a family of 3. Families receiving TANF, PaS, SSI or Food Stamps also quality.
  • Helps with different types of emergencies when you don’t have enough money.

The types of emergencies are:

  • Rent or Security Deposit
  • Mortgage Payments or Property Taxes
  • Home repairs (wells, chimney, septic system, etc.)
  • Clothing; or special medical equipment.
  • Disaster Assistance due to flood, fire, storms, etc.

You can only get EA help once every 12 months.

To Apply: You can apply for EA at your local DHHS office. You will need proof of the emergency.

More information


General Assistance (GA)

  • Helps with basic necessities, like housing, fuel, food, utilities, clothing, and medical expenses.
  • You must be very low-income. You may need to prove that you have spent your money on basic necessities.
  • All towns and cities have this program.

To Apply: You can apply at your local Town Office or City Hall. Call DHHS at 1-800-442-6003 if you have trouble applying.

More information


Maine Sea Coast Mission

This program provides emergency assistance for heat, electricity, food and other emergency circumstances for the residents of Washington and Hancock counties.

Contact Information: Call (207) 288-5097, or 1-888-824-7258. Maine Seacoast Mission


Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants

Gives loans and grants to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve, modernize, or to remove health and safety hazards in their rural homes. Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants

Loans are for up to 20 years at 1% interest. Grants (free) may be for people who are 62 years of age or disabled.

Loan/grant combinations may be arranged for applicants who can repay part of the cost. The program defines ‘very low-income’ as below 50 percent of the area median income. See the following for the program’s income guidelines.

To Apply: Call Rural Development. Listed in the Phone Book under U.S. Government, Agriculture Department. Or call 1-800-352-8963 Ext. 161 and they will connect you to the correct office.

More information about loans
More information about grants


Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

MaineHousing’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) offers loans at a low fixed rate of only 3.95% (4.194% APR*) for home improvements that increase home energy efficiency. Loan amounts range from $2,800 to $30,000, with loan terms of up to 15 years. (Rates and terms are subject to change.)

For loans repaid over 15 years, the monthly payment would be $7.37 for every $1,000 borrowed. There is no down payment on a HELP loan. A property appraisal may be required, but often is not.

HELP loans may be used to finance:

  • Home energy audits
  • Insulation, air sealing, and weather stripping
  • Heating system repair or replacement
  • Energy Star rated windows and appliances
  • Storm doors and storm windows
  • Ventilation and moisture controls
  • Roof repairs (if attic is insulated to a minimum R38 value)

Heating system improvements may include furnace cleaning and tune-ups, replacement burners and/or fuel storage tanks, and replacement systems and supplemental heating systems if they meet certain efficiency standards. Efficient wood stoves, wood pellet systems, geothermal heat pumps, and solar thermal hot water systems are among the possible heating system improvements.

*The APR is the cost of credit stated as a yearly rate. The above APR is based on a 15- year term, and includes the cost of an energy audit, title update, credit report, and recording fee. If the property needs an appraisal, the APR would be higher.

You may be eligible for a HELP loan if:

  • You own and occupy a 1 to 4 unit home.
  • Your total monthly debt payments are 45% or less of your total monthly income.
  • Your total home loans, including the energy loan, do not exceed 106% of your home’s value (100% or less for mobile homes).

While household income limits apply, most Maine homeowners are income eligible for a HELP loan. To qualify for a HELP loan, you must hire a certified energy auditor to evaluate your home and provide a written report of the audit findings. The energy auditor will help you identify home energy improvements that will provide the most energy savings per dollar spent.

You may apply for a HELP loan at any of the following lenders.

  • Bath Savings Institution: Phone: (800) 447-4559
  • Camden National Bank: Phone: (800) 860-8821
  • HomeQuest: Phone: (866) 221-4383
  • Kennebunk Savings Bank: Phone: (800) 339-6573
  • MaineStream Finance: Phone: (207) 973-3500
  • Northeast Bank: Phone: (800) 284-5989
  • Norway Savings Bank: Phone: (888) 725-2207
  • Skowhegan Savings Bank: Phone: (800) 303-9511
  • The First, N.A: Phone: (800) 564-3195
  • \

For more information contact:

Joanna Veilleux, Loan Processing Assistant
Phone: (207) 624-5712
Toll-Free: (877) 544-3271

More information


Appliance Replacement Program

Efficiency Maine, the Maine State Housing Authority, and the state’s Community Action Programs are working together on this program. The Energy Efficiency Low Income Appliance Replacement program replaces inefficient refrigerators and other home appliances, and installs energy efficient lighting in the homes of qualified low-income consumers. Community Action Programs deliver the services.

To Apply: For more information, call toll-free (866) 376-2463, or apply to your local CAP agency.

Note: If you live in Cumberland County, Lincoln County, Sagadahoc County, Brunswick, Harpswell, Pownal, or Lincoln, apply to MaineHousing (see linked listing above), not your local CAP.

More information


Help Resources

Community Action Programs in Maine

The Maine Housing Authority can help with housing-related issues.

  • MaineHousing, 353 Water Street, Augusta Maine 04330
    Phone: (207) 626-4600; Toll Free: (800) 452-4668
    TTY: (800) 452-4603; Fax: (207) 626-4678

Other programs may be able to help you with your household costs. This can help free up money so that you have enough to pay for your heating costs. Some of these programs are:

There are different eligibility criteria for each of these programs.

If you have questions about these programs, call Maine Equal Justice at 626-7058 or toll free 1-866-626-7059.

Disclaimer

Maine Equal Justice Partners
January 2009

We are providing this information as a public service. We try to make it accurate as of the date indicated for each client education page. Sometimes the law changes. We cannot guarantee or promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct. Feel free to contact us to find out if there have been any changes since the date of the information provided.

We do not intend this information to be legal advice. We do not intend it as advertising or solicitation. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. It is best to consult a competent lawyer before taking legal action.

Because it is important that information be shared, we encourage reproduction and distribution of our work so long as appropriate acknowledgement is made. Please check with us for updates on information before distributing any dated material.



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