An Important Reminder from

State Representative  Bruce A. Bickford

64 Cameron Lane  

Auburn, Maine 04210 

(207)  795-6844 

Proudly Serving the Citizens of District  70 

 RepBruce.Bickford@legislature.maine.gov 

 

 

Energy Assistance Programs

 

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

 

It is a pleasure to inform you that the applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now available through April 30, 2011.  LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides money to help low-income homeowners and renters pay heating costs.  LIHEAP may pay a portion of your home heating bills, taking into account your household’s size, energy bills, geographic area and fuel type (electricity, natural gas, heating oil, propane or wood).  Please note, if your heat is included in your rent, you may still apply for LIHEAP.  

 

You may be eligible for assistance if:

 

· Your total household income falls within 230% of the federal poverty guidelines or 75% of the state area median income, whichever is less.

 

For an application, please call your local Community Action Program (CAP).  A listing of Maine’s CAP agencies, including phone numbers can be downloaded at http://www.mainehousing.org/DATACapAgencies.aspx?PageCMD=1.

 

 At the time of application, you should be prepared to provide:

 

· Recent copies of your utility bills;

· Proof of gross income for the last 3 or 12 months;

· Proof of present address;

· Total number of members living in your household; and

· Names and Social Security numbers for all persons living in your household.

 

 

For more information or to access home energy savings tips, download a LIHEAP brochure at http://www.mainehousing.org/Documents/Brochures/Brochure-LIHEAPWeatherization.pdf.  For questions, you may also contact a Maine Housing Authority LIHEAP Fiscal and Program Specialist at (207) 626-4603.

 

 

Call 2-1-1 Maine

 

2-1-1 Maine is an easy-to-remember telephone number that was created by the United Ways of Maine, in partnership with Youth Alternatives Ingraham and the State of Maine.  The goal of 2-1-1 Maine is to provide resource information on topics including, but not limited to, energy assistance, emergency shelter, consumer help, food and senior services. 

 

2-1-1 Maine includes a statewide directory of over 5,000 resources, including support groups and agency services. To access this list, please visit www.211maine.org.  

 

You may contact 2-1-1 Maine by dialing 2-1-1.  The call center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  E-mails may be sent to info@211maine.gov.

 

All calls and e-mails are kept confidential.        

 

Keep ME Warm Fund

 

The Keep ME Warm Fund is a collaboration of several state agencies with the goal of helping Maine people stay safe, warm and secure.  The Fund raises money to help those who may not be eligible for federal, state or local fuel assistance programs.  Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211maine.org if you are in need of fuel assistance.

 

Below is a list of energy tips provided by the Keep ME Warm Fund:

 

1. Close storm windows; use drapes and shades at night to conserve heat (save $229.46/year);

2. Close flue dampers on fireplace (save $227.92/year);

3. Install faucet flow restrictors and low-flow shower heads (save $194.04/year);

4. Tune up your heating system (save $190.96/year);

5. Insulate, caulk and weather-strip your home (save $187.88/year);

6. Remove and vacuum your furnace filter every month.  Replace it when it can’t be vacuumed

   clean (save $141.68/year);

7. Close and reduce heat in all unoccupied areas (save $130.90/year);

8. Replace 60W incandescent bulbs with 13W CFLs (save $77.20 per bulb over the life of the

    bulb);

9. Set your thermostat back (save $77 for every degree set back); and

10. Insulate heat pipes and duct work (save $2.25 per foot for hot water pipes, $3.99 per foot for

     steam pipes, $2.28 per foot for hot air ducts).

 

To view more energy tips and the State’s Keep ME Warm Brochure, please visit http://www.unitedwaygp.org/what_we_do/documents/KeepMEWarmBrochure.pdf.

 

If you would like to become involved with Keep ME Warm or make a donation, you can find more information at http://www.unitedwaygp.org/what_we_do/keep_me_warm.php.  Donations to the Keep ME Warm Fund help to provide emergency heating assistance and to offer 24 hour 2-1-1 Maine helpline service.

 

 

 As always, do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance with the application or if you have questions, thoughts or concerns you wish to share regarding state government.