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Operation Fuel

Posted on: March 27, 2024 - 11:46am

Operation Fuel Assistance Available to Eligible Residents: Assistance Available Through East Hartford Health & Social Services

The East Hartford Department of Health & Social Services is alerting residents of a program that provides emergency energy and water utility assistance to lower and moderate-income working families, elderly residents, and individuals with disabilities who may be struggling to pay their bills. Operation Fuel ensures equitable access to energy for all by providing year-round energy assistance to households who:

  • Fall outside the government assistance programs’ eligibility guidelines; or
  • Have exhausted their government assistance

Beginning July 11, 2022, Operation Fuel will administer a water and utility assistance program for Connecticut residents who need support with meeting their utility needs. This program will be for households living up to 75% of the State of Connecticut’s median income. Households may be eligible for assistance up to $500. There will not be an assets test for this program. Customers who receive an energy assistance grant can also apply for water assistance. Assistance is not available to customers in collections for current balances.

Residents can request assistance with the application by contacting Social Services at (860) 291-7248 to set up an appointment in-person or over the phone.  Applications and necessary eligibility paperwork may be returned in-person, mailed to Social Services, or placed in the Town drop box located in the Town Hall parking lot.  Once the completed application is returned to Social Services, a staff member will contact applicants to confirm eligibility and assist with applying for Operation Fuel assistance.

Eligibility Guidelines

In order to qualify for water utility assistance, customers must have at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have a shut-off notice;
  • Have no water utility service;
  • Need assistance with making a required payment in order to prevent a shut-off; or
  • Have a past due balance of 30 days or more.

Additional eligibility requirements include:

  • Total household income is within 75% of state median income
  • Applicant has not received an Operation Fuel energy assistance grant during the 12-month period of which they are applying
  • Applicant has made a total of 4 payments within the 12-month period of which they are applying

Some emergency examples can include but are not limited to the following:

  • Customer is suffering from job loss and is collecting unemployment or exhausted unemployment benefits
  • Customer health or housing is threatened
  • Customer has not received a water assistance grant during the 12-month period of which the client is applying

Documentation:

All applications must provide the following documents:

  • Current utility bill or shut off notice with a past due balance of 30 days or more
  • Current payment history
  • Proof of income: Documentation of all household members with income (last 4 weeks)
  • Copy of the signed application – signatures from the applicant and intake worker

For additional questions, you may contact Operation Fuel at (860) 243-2345 or email info@operationfuel.org. For more information, please visit Operation Fuel – power for good.