The Home Energy Assistance Program of New Hampshire has helped families pay their energy bills and get the desired comfort in unfavorable weather conditions. Income-eligible renters and homeowners can get energy assistance for home heating and other energy requirements.
They improve the energy efficiency performance of their home without impacting their budget. The available energy assistance programs help them meet their energy needs and create a comfortable and healthier indoor environment.
The Energy Assistance Program can cover 100% of expenses for home weatherization if you meet the eligibility criteria. However, the number of your family members and total household income will decide whether you are eligible for this program or not.
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New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Programs
New Hampshire helps utility partners meet the goal and support the energy needs of low-income families. We will cover more about energy assistance programs in the following. Keep reading and know the coverage, eligibility criteria, and other aspects to save on your energy consumption and create a safer and more comfortable indoor space.
Fuel Assistance Program
The fuel assistance program will assist with home heating costs and help all those struggling to make their space energy efficient. They offer assistance during household heating emergencies by providing emergency fuel delivery. Also, they can delay shut-off notice and refer the needy to another source of energy assistance.
The fuel assistance program can help people with low income. Since these funds work as grants, the recipient does not need to repay them. Also, the assistance can range from $210 to $1,575 based on the energy cost and the household income.
The program offers benefits depending on the energy cost, household income, house type, and heating degree days. The objective is to support the energy need of those with the lowest income. The low-income families cannot afford the increased fuel and other energy costs, but the program can come to their rescue and help with energy benefits.  Contact local community action groups to apply.
Electric Assistance Program (EAP)
The Electric Assistance Program in New Hampshire helps eligible customers with discounts. They can reduce the monthly energy bill from eight percent to seventy-six percent on the gross household income size. The electric usage of the household will also play a determining role. Liberty Utilities, Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Systems, and NH Electric Co-op users can apply for discounts.
They support home heating costs and meet the other energy needs of eligible customers. The best part is that you can get a considerable discount of up to seventy-six percent if you meet the eligibility criteria. Currently, electric costs are high, and low-income families cannot get energy for their essential needs.
However, this program can help them create a comfortable living place without impacting their other expenses.  You can also apply if you receive utilities through these carriers:
- Eversource Energy
- Liberty Utilities
- NH Electric Co-op
- Unitil Energy Systems
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) supports low-income families to meet home heating costs. Yes, the program will pay a portion of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, propane, wood, coal, and other energy costs. In brief, it will not limit to fuel and electric costs.
Instead, it will cover all the energy costs and help eligible customers to find the much-needed help to support their home heating costs. Apart from that, the program covers weatherization services, including weather stripping and insulation. You can get assistance for furnace replacement, repair, and cleaning. The program also offers emergency assistance and chimney inspection and cleaning help.
Once the funds become available, the program starts offering benefits to qualified households. It assists with the heating costs of low-income families. The program helps families with the lowest income to meet their highest energy costs.
However, the assistance amount will vary based on customers, income status, and other considerations. The average benefit of this assistance program is $899.00. But, these benefits will work as a grant, not as an income, and cannot stop eligible customers from applying for other available energy assistance programs. Apply for LIHEAP here.
New Hampshire Weatherization Program
New Hampshire’s Free Weatherization Assistance program helps families reduce their heating bills, potentially saving hundreds of dollars per year. Weatherization works by installing energy-efficiency improvements in low-income people’s homes, focusing on those most vulnerable to high energy costs and who cannot afford energy conservation upgrades.
Community action agencies and state programs coordinate this service with your electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency programs to get all possible conservation and weatherization services since many companies offer extra resources. They will also coordinate with FAPs grant programs, as noted above. To apply, you must contact your local social services agency or Community Action Agency.
Home Improvement May Include,
Some New Hampshire weatherization programs include insulating basements and crawl spaces, sealing air leaks in the attic, installing attic or wall insulation, weather stripping, and more. The goal is to increase your home’s efficiency. Other improvements may include:
- Repairing drafty windows by weather-stripping or fixing broken exterior doors.
- Performing minor furnace maintenance and repairs.
- Insulating your water heater pipes or furnace ducts.
An energy auditor will ensure that your appliances and heating systems are running effectively and safely. For more information, contact the departments below.
Kirk Stone
Program Manager
(603) 271-6359
Wendy Gilman
Grants Compliance Officer
(603) 271-0596
Brittany Mitchell
Program Specialist
(603) 271-6590
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Energy Assistance Programs?
The benefits and eligibility for the fuel, electric, and weatherization assistance programs will depend on a few factors. The key considerations are the gross annual household income of the applicant and the number of members in the household.
Both these factors will decide whether you can get assistance or not. Also, these factors will determine the assistance amount and discount on your energy consumption. Other considerations are the vulnerability of residents and household energy consumption.
Customers of the Unitil, Eversource, NHEC, and Liberty can get benefited from the Electric Assistance Program. Renters and all homeowners are eligible for the Weatherization and fuel assistance programs. Renters can apply for this benefit when the rent includes the home heating cost.
Contact the Community Action Agency in your Area
You can visit the Community Action Agency and inquire about your eligibility status. You can apply for these assistance programs if you meet the eligibility criteria. Yes, you can get noticeable discounts on your energy consumption and create a comfortable living place for your family without hurting your budget.
Besides, the Fuel, Weatherization, and Electric Assistance Programs of New Hampshire prohibit any discrimination on race, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital or family status, age, color, and physical or mental ability. You can get assistance if you meet the above eligibility criteria. Other factors, including religion and origin, will not be a barrier.
As mentioned earlier, there are income eligibility guidelines for energy assistance programs. The income eligibility for the Fuel Assistance Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and Electric Assistance Program is sixty percent of the state median income of New Hampshire. You can apply for home heating assistance benefits through your local Community Action Agency if your income meets this requirement.
