Fuel Assistance - Please Read

Please spread the word and to encourage households to apply before the first deadline of August 31, 2008. This is only the beginning as I am sure info will need to be updated as planning goes on and the various agencies fully gear up. My concern is that families who did not request aid in the past may need it this year and not know how to apply.

AHS update on fuel assistance. 32,790 households applied for Fuel Assistance between July 07 and Feb 08. The need will be greater this year. Beginning on July 3rd AHS will be mailing every single one of those 32,790 households an application packet to apply for heating assistance for the 2008-2009 season. The famous yellow return postcard is still part of the package, as is the self-addressed return envelope. Applications will be accepted on Monday July 7th.

Do you know where to get an application packet? Every person who applied for Fuel Assistance last year will receive an application packet in the mail. In addition, they will mail over 4,000 application packets to folks who did not apply for Fuel last season but who DID apply for Food stamps during March, April, May and June (off-season months for Fuel). Of course the toll free number is always available to request an application directly - 1-800-479-6151 anytime.

And on or about July 7 the application packet will be posted on the web at http://www.dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel_assistance. By Friday July 18 a supply of application packets will be mailed to each District Office, all of the Community Action Agencies and all of the Area Agency on Aging offices. In addition, several hundred will be distributed to advocacy groups, fuel suppliers, political affiliates, visiting nurses, etc.

By July 7 the application packet will be posted on the web They will also have updated income guidelines, telephone numbers, deadline dates, an Advocate Training Announcement, and a line to Weatherization.

Gary

ps. I will let each of you know what I have learned after meeting today.