Fuel Assistance | Home Energy Assistance

In addition to qualifying for direct fuel assistance, a number of government grant programs can help to lower your home energy costs. The primary program helping home owners it he Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program.

By working with home owners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes along with qualified contractors, the program has lowered heating bills by an average of 30% for the over 5.5 million participating families since its inception in 1976. As a result, families taking part int he program save hundreds of dollars a year, with an average savings of over $350 on their energy costs. Through a use of cost effective home upgrade methods, the Program works with thousands of professional contractors who apply the latest techniques to help you get better performance from your home energy system.

Each local program is administered by each state, which set both income and qualification guidelines. Depending on the structure of your state government, you will contact the corresponding local agency. Families who receive Supplementary Security Income are automatically eligible for the program, as are most households with a disabled member. Check with your state agency for application guidelines.

State Energy Star Programs

In addition to federal programs, many states, such as New York, have developed their own set of grants to help with fuel assistance costs. The New York Energy Smart residential program is designed to provide guidance and resources to home owners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, as well as working with contractors to establish best practices. Correspondingly, the state offers tax incentives for home owners who work with a Building Performance Energy Star certified contractor. Check with your state government to see what tax incentives are available when installing Energy Star upgrades.