Crisis Fuel is still available for struggling area households

WESTMINSTER -SEVCAannounced that Crisis Fuel assistance is available through the second week in April (for most types of heat) to households in Southeastern Vermont facing a heating emergency. In addition, the state of Vermont has decided to allow people who have already received Crisis Fuel assistance and have household incomes up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level to apply for a second assist if circumstances warrant it.

“Winter’s not over yet! With the stretch of extreme cold we’ve had this winter along with rising fuel prices, we’ve found that many people have exhausted their Seasonal Fuel benefit and have already had to come to us for Crisis Fuel assistance,” said Pat Burke, Director of SEVCA’s Family Services Program, which administers the Crisis Fuel program in Windham and Windsor Counties. “We wanteveryonewho doesn’t know where else to turn for assistance to call us, and we’ll do everything we can to help.”

To be eligible for Crisis Fuel assistance, households must have had extenuating circumstances that led to the heating emergency (defined as being very close to being out of fuel or out of fuel without money to buy more), and income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is based on household size; e.g., $4,100/month (gross income) for a family of four. Those who have already received Crisis Fuel assistance are only eligible for a second assist if their income is 150% of the FPL, or $3,075/month or less for a family of four. SEVCA may also be able to arrange an emergency furnace repair or replacement for qualified homeowners whose furnaces stop working or become unsafe to operate.

SEVCA also receives strong support from local individuals and foundations for emergency fuel assistance, and these contributions can help those who don’t qualify for the state’s Crisis Fuel program, don’t qualify for the second assist, or to bridge the gap between what is covered by the state’s Crisis Fuel program and what is needed by a particular family in crisis. Recently, the Fanny Holt Ames & Edna Louise Holt Fund awarded $10,000 to SEVCA to help some of the most vulnerable area families keep the heat on this winter.

For more information, call SEVCA toll-free at(800) 464-9951between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Applicants in northern Windham County may also call that number to schedule an appointment. Brattleboro area applicants should call(802) 254-2795; Springfield area applicants,(802) 885-6153; and White River Junction area applicants,(802) 295-5215. Applicants must bring paystubs or other proof of income, know how much fuel they have left, and provide information about their fuel dealer. Households should not wait until they are completely out of fuel as it could take a week or more to receive a fuel delivery and there are no funds provided to cover the fee for a special delivery; they should call for an appointment when the fuel level reaches a quarter tank. For Crisis Fuel Assistance on weekends and holidays ONLY, call1-866-331-7741, and for furnace repair or replacement assistance on weekends, holidays, or for after-hours emergencies, call1-877-295-7998.

Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) was established in 1965 as part of the national War on Poverty to address the needs of low-income residents of Windham and Windsor Counties. In addition to providing the “safety net” for households in financial crisis, its services help them stabilize their lives, make their homes safe and energy-efficient, take strides toward becoming self-reliant, and enable their children to escape the generational poverty cycle. These goals are achieved through such programs as Family Services, Crisis Fuel, Housing Services, 3SquaresVT (Food Stamp) Outreach, Weatherization, Home Repair, Small Business Assistance, Financial Fitness Education, Matched Savings Accounts, Job Readiness Training, Tax Preparation Assistance, Thrift Stores, Health Navigator, and Head Start.