STATEWIDE
Apply for federally funded LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
assistance at your local CAP agency. Many CAPS
began accepting applications on July 1.
On June 8, 2008 the governor's office announced the posting of their
Energy page. The
Homeowners section includes links
to all of the state programs that help homeowners with energy-related needs. (Many of these program help renters, too.)
The USDA Rural Development office also
offers low-interest loans to qualified applicants through its
Repair and Rehabilitation Loan Program.
You can use this money to buy a new heating system, replace insulation, doors or windows, repair a foundation, or do many
other types of repairs or upgrades, to make your home more energy efficient, or just more livable.
Operation keepMEwarm is a grass roots effort by
business leaders and community
members to raise one-million dollars over the next three years to pay for fuel assistance.
Your income must be at or below 80% of the area's Annual Median Income to qualify (reaching families that
are not eligible for LIHEAP). Apply at your local
CAP agency.
Make a contribution to Operation keepMEwarm
Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) - You must be LIHEAP recipient. Apply at your county's
CAP agency. Can qualify only once per
heating season for emergency fuel or to avoid electricity cut-off.
Maine State Energy and Fuel Assistance Multiple energy and fuel assistance programs/companies that assist you during times of need.
Central Heating Improvement Program: Repair and replace old or dangerous heating systems; fuel assistance.
REGIONAL and LOCAL
Many local and county supplemental programs
are administered by the county CAP agencies. This can include
help for people with income over the LIHEAP guidelines, or for people who have used up their LIHEAP.
So, if you don't see your
town or county listed here, contact your nearest CAP agency
to find out about any supplemental funds in your area. Some towns and local churches have also announced supplemental aid
for this year. Contact your town office, or call 211.
The Massachusetts-based
Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program also posts information about some regional Maine programs.
[We would like to keep this list updated.
If you hear of a new program
in your area, contact us and we will post the information here.
]
Androscoggin County
Auburn, Lewiston: Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Program 783-0801
Rural Community Action Ministry 524-5095
Serving Buckfield, Canton, Greene, Hartford, Leeds, Litchfield, Livermore, Monmouth, Sabattus, Sumner, Turner, Wales,
and Wayne
Lisbon, Lisbon Falls: Warm Thy Neighbor 725-4594
Auburn General Assistance Temporary assistance with fuel, utilities, food, housing, non-elective medical necessities, and basic services essential to maintain a household.
Aroostook County
Salvation Army of Houlton Fuel Assistance Program 532-2322
Aroostook County Action Program Child and family services, energy and housing services, health and family planning services, employment and training services.
Cumberland County
Portland: Cora L. Brown Foundation 772-2443
Westbrook: Good Samaritan Fund 854-2292
Scarborough: Project G.R.A.C.E. 883-5111
Bailey Island, Brunswick, Harpswell, Orrs Island, S. Harpswell: Warm Thy Neighbor 725-4594
Emergency Intervention Crisis Program: Emergency financial assistance for home heating fuel.
Kennebec County
Augusta, Chelsea, Hallowell, Sidney:
Salvation Army of Augusta 623-3752
Emergency Crisis Intervention Program: Helping to provide
emergency financial assistance for home heating fuel or disconnected electricity; available November through March. You may contact the agency receptionist at 1-800-542-8227
Knox County
Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Program 594-5326
Lincoln County
United Way of Mid-coast Maine creates emergency heat fund
(Times-Record 12/26/07)
Apply to Warm Thy Neighbor in Brunswick, The Salvation Army in Bath, or Midcoast Maine Community Action (formerly CED),
serving residents of Brunswick and Harpswell as well as Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties.
Lincoln County: Community Energy Fund 563-3883 See Lincoln
County News item Dec. 26, 2007
Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, Waldo and Washington Counties
Eastern Maine Funders is into Phase II of its
Eastern Maine Funders Energy Initiative
for weatherization, furnace maintenance, smart purchasing and fuel assistance for the five counties of
Eastern Maine. To get help from this fund, contact your
county CAP agency.
Contact Washington-Hancock County
CAP to donate money for your town residents in Washington and Hancock counties.
Manna Ministries, serving Greater Bangor residents. Phone: 990-2870 (limited fund)
Good Neighbor Fund - for higher income families - up to 200% of poverty level; apply to
CAP agency
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (Bangor): Assistance with heating costs including oil, gas, electric, coal, kerosene or wood.
Sagadahoc County
Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Program 443-3611
Serving Brunswick, Harpswell and all of Sagadahoc County (but not Richmond)
Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Topsham, W. Bowdoinham: Warm Thy Neighbor 725-4594
Bath/West Bath General Assistance Temporary assistance with fuel, utilities, food, housing, non-elective medical necessities, and basic services essential to maintain a household.
Waldo County
Rockland Home Heating Assistance Program will provide emergency assistance. "The fund is designed to help those
residents who might just miss the strict income guidelines of other home heating programs." Apply to the Rockland
General Assistance office.
The city council is challenging
corporations, service clubs and individuals to double the fund, which was started with $10,000 from the Haines
Charitable Trust. Donate by calling 594-0300. (Source: Bangor Daily News 12/19/07)
Fuel Assistance Appointments:
WCAP is currently taking appointments for fuel assistance. Appointments may be made by calling 338-3025 or 1-800-498-3025. Appointments can also be set by stopping by the WCAP office at 9 Field Street, Belfast Center, Belfast.
Washington County
Centre Street Congregational Church Emergency Assistance 255-6665
Serving Bucks Harbor, Cooper, East Machias, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, Northfield,
Roques Bluff, Wesley, Whiting
Contact Washington-Hancock County
CAP to donate money for your town residents in Washington county.
York County
Keeping Neighbors Warm "is a coalition of area businesses and local
citizens in Southern Maine" providing money for heating assistance. Contact one of
9 town offices to apply for help.
Go here to contribute.
Arundel, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport:
Community Assistance (emergencies) 967-1911
Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach, Saco: Salvation Army Old Orchard Beach Corps 934-4381