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