FUEL ASSISTANCE – ENERGY ASSISTANCE –
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS FOR NH DISTRICT THREE RESIDENTS
As a helpful reference, I have compiled a partial listing of energy services for New Hampshire families. — Janet
On August 1, 2022, energy supply rates increased drastically in New Hampshire with costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh) doubling from 10.669 c/kWh to 22.566 c/kWh with one of New Hampshire’s largest suppliers. The spike in electricity costs is attributed to the benchmark U.S. price for natural gas doubling in price from the prior year to $9 per million BTU. Gas is the largest source of electric power in the U.S. and gas prices help set the cost of electricity around the country. In all, gas fueled about 38 percent of utility-scale power generation in the country last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In New Hampshire, natural gas is used to generate 25% of our state’s electricity, with nuclear energy providing 56%.
The New Hampshire Department of Energy attributes these higher energy costs to global volatility of energy markets:
“The higher prices we are seeing are the result of an energy supply crunch brought about by increased energy usage as the economy recovers from the COVID pandemic, uncertainties in supply stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine, and growing inflation.”
More specifically, these rate increases come at a time residents are dealing with the highest inflation rate since the 1980s.
Heading into the winter months, I would like to inform all District Three constituents of various fuel and energy assistance programs, energy efficiency programs, and weatherization programs available. These come through Southern New Hampshire Services (the Community Action Program for District Three), Unitil and Liberty Utilities home heating assistance (gas) programs, and NHSaves.
SOUTHERN NH SERVICES
https://www.snhs.org/
Southern New Hampshire Services is the Community Action Program for District Three/Rockingham County. District Three constituents can apply online or visit one of the five SNHS offices for electric assistance, fuel assistance, or weatherization assistance.
Rockingham County Locations:
- Derry: (603) 965-3029: (Derry toll-free: 1-855-295-4105)
- Salem: (603) 893-9172 (Salem toll-free: 1-800-939-9172)
- Portsmouth: (603) 436-3896 (Portsmouth toll-free: 1-800-639-3896)
- Seabrook: (603) 474-3507 (Seabrook toll-free: 1-800-979-3507
- Raymond: (603) 895-2303 (Raymond toll-free: 1-800-974-2303)
Income Eligibility for all three programs is 60% Average Median Income:
- For a family of 1, a maximum gross annual income of $38,969
- For a family of 2, a maximum gross annual income of $50,959
- For a family of 3, a maximum gross annual income of $62,950
- For a family of 4, a maximum gross annual income of $74,941
ELECTRIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM(EAP)
https://www.energy.nh.gov/consumers/help-energy-and-utility-bills/electric-assistance-program
- Deadline: No deadline. The program is offered year-round to those who meet eligibility.
- Details: EAP provides a discount for the first 750 kWh on electric bill
- Discount ranges from 8%-76% depending on gross household income, household size and electricity usage.
- Customers of the following utilities may apply for the discount:
- Eversource Energy
- Liberty Utilities
- New Hampshire Electric Cooperative
- Unitil
FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
https://www.energy.nh.gov/consumers/help-energy-and-utility-bills/fuel-assistance-program
❖ Deadline: Pre-Applications available beginning July 1, 2022.
- For priority families, elderly, disabled and families with young children under the age of six The Fuel Assistance Program application deadline is April 30th, 2023.
- Pre-Applications for all others September 1, 2022. The deadline is April 30, 2023.
- Details FAP provides benefits from $253-$2520 for eligible homeowners and renters for heating purposes that do not have to be repaid.
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS via SNHS
https://www.snhs.org/services/weatherization
- Deadline: Services are available year round
- Details Services are free for those who qualify
- To apply – complete Fuel Assistance Program application, which is also used for weatherization programs.
- Qualified candidates will receive an energy audit with a follow-up appointment to confirm compliance with auditors’ recommendations.
Which may include –
- Hard piping dryer exhaust vents to make drying safer and more efficient
- Repairing, caulking, and weather-stripping doors and windows
- Installing new bathroom exhaust fans
- Metering of refrigerators to possibly qualify for FREE REPLACEMENT
- Installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors if needed
- Reducing air infiltration and drafts by sealing areas throughout the home with the use of Infra-Red and Blower Door technology
- Installing “low flow” shower heads and faucet aerators
- Upgrading lighting to become more energy efficient
- Ordering a one-time thorough cleaning, tuning, and evaluation which may include minor repairs of your primary heating system
- Adding insulation to walls, attics, and basement areas of the home
- Replacing or repairing primary heating system & water heater when funding permits
HOME HEATING GAS – ASSISTANCE FOR LIBERTY UTILITIES & UNITIL CUSTOMERS
https://www.energy.nh.gov/consumers/help-energy-and-utility-bills/gas-assistance-program
- Deadline: No deadline
- Details: Bill discount is offered November – April 30th, Year-round.
To be eligible for the program, customers must be residential heating customers of either Liberty Utilities or Unitil-Gas and receive, or be qualified to receive, benefits from one of the following programs:
- Fuel Assistance Program
- Electric Assistance Program
- Supplemental Security Income Program
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Commodity Surplus Foods Program (for women, infants and children)
- Elderly Commodity Surplus Foods Program
- Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program (TANF)
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
- Head Start Program
- Aid to Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD)
- Aid to the Needy Blind
- Old Age Assistance
- Food Stamps
- For more information, contact your gas company directly at 1-800-833-4200 for customers of Liberty Utilities and 1-800-552-3043 for customers of Unitil-Gas.
NHSAVES
https://nhsaves.com/learn/service/energy-audits-weatherization/
The New Hampshire electric and natural gas utilities, in consultation with the NH Public Utilities Commission and other interested parties, offer a variety of energy efficiency rebates. Detailed program information can be found on the NHSaves website. You may also contact your utility directly for more information on program offerings: