The Rhode Island Low Income Energy programs are administered through the state Community Action Program to ensure proper heating throughout the winter. By providing funds for low income households, as well as those with elderly, disabled and young children, Rhode Island residents are able to access a variety of state based programs.
Under the programs, the state can help directly subsidize heating bills by making direct payments to the utility company for qualified individuals. Additionally, some households may qualify for grants to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, including new heating systems, insulation or repairs which can lower monthly energy bills.
Working directly with the federal government, the state administers Liheap grants to households which earn less than 60% of the state’s median income, As a federal program, the state automatically enrolls qualified individuals. Additionally, there are other state based programs, including “H-EAT”, which helps to offset higher living expenses for those on public assistance by increasing food and living expense subsidies during the winter months. Private programs, such as the Salvation Army Good Neighbor Energy Fund, also provide grants to those in need of assistance who may not directly qualify for Liheap grants. Additionally, the state works with utility companies such as National Grid or Pascoag Utilities to allow for “budget billing” which makes monthly bills more affordable through financing year round.
The state Weatherization Assistance Program provides grants for energy efficiency improvements which result from audits of homes by approved contractors. In coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program, the state aims to help households lower their energy use and bills. Additionally, the state offers a Heating System Improvement program for low-income families which upgrades furnaces and appliances for efficiency reasons. The Appliance Management Program will provide a complimentary audit of your home, for households meeting income guidelines and using more than 10 KW/Hrs of electricity each month; the recommendations will range from replacing appliances, using energy efficient light bulbs as well as adding insulation and other modifications to improve energy retention during the winter months.
Households within Rhode Island benefit from a variety of programs which aim to make heating homes during the winter months more affordable and accessible to households of all incomes. Accordingly, the various fuel assistance programs help families to work through periods of high energy bills through subsidies, pro-rated payment plans and efficiency improvements, all of which can be used to ensure that heat keeps flowing to those who need it most. While Rhode Island winters can be quite cold, coordination between the Federal and State government, in coordination with private utility companies, aims to ensure that every home can afford their winter heating bills. By investing in next generation energy efficiency improvements, further, the state has been able to help households lower their heating bills and improve the value of homes at the same time. Make sure to check with the state agency to file an application for energy assistance well in advance of the winter season, as it can take months to fully process a new applicant according to guidelines.
