Applications for energy assistance for the 2023-2024 heating season are now being accepted by the Access Community Action Agency. Help is available for all income-eligible households in Windham and Tolland counties that use oil, coal, propane, kerosene, electric, pellets, wood, or natural gas heat, as their heating source as well as heat-included homes. In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below 60 percent of the State Median Income. For example, a family of four can make up to $69,560 before taxes and qualify for assistance. A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, or SSI automatically qualifies for the program. To apply for assistance, applicants must schedule an appointment and provide copies of documents found on the chart below for all household members 18 and over and not in school:
Residents of Windham and Tolland counties can contact Access in Willimantic at 860-450-7400 or in Danielson at 860-412-1600 to make an appointment. Access has a new phone system and the phone menu has changed, please follow prompt #3 to schedule your appointment. Appointments are currently available during the agency’s normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Households must apply seasonally. Applications can be done either by phone, by mail, in-person, or directly online at the CT Energy Assistance Program. Find out more information at: accessagency.org/energy-assistance.
Deliverable-heated households may use benefits starting November 1st and ending May 2nd. Utility-heated households (Eversource Energy, electric and gas) are eligible to participate in the matching payment programs and are protected from utility shut-off from November 1st through April 30th. Below is a list of our local partners and Towns that can help residents apply for Home Heating Assistance:
Local Outreach Energy Sites
Funding for this program is provided by The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and is housed under the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS).
The Access Community Action Agency is designated by the federal and state governments as the anti-poverty agency in northeast Connecticut. Access provides food, affordable housing, job readiness services, and other pathways to economic self-reliance for vulnerable limited-income families and individuals throughout the region.