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CONTINGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CHAP) - 2008-2009
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: One time Basic Benefit of $625 paid to primary source-of-heat vendor for households between 150% Federal Poverty (FPL) and 60% of the State Median Income. (Households with income at or below 200% FPL should apply for CEAP;Households with income up to 100% State Median may apply for Operation Fuel) In addition, CHAP eligible households that heat with a deliverable fuel (oil, propane, wood, coal, kerosene) and have exhausted their Basic Benefit may qualify for a one time Crisis Benefit of up to $565 of deliverable fuel. Program is administered in Connecticut by the Conn. Dept. of Social Services. Applications are taken and fuel deliveries are ordered through local Community Action Agencies.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Connecticut resident with family income between 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and 60% of the State Median Income
- Household must be paying for heat (No CHAP benefit for renters who have heat included in their rent)
- Asset limit for homeowners: $10,000 in liquid assets (Liquid assets are assets that can be readily accessed, such as stocks, mutual funds, savings and checking accounts. Home equity, car values, life insurance policies are not considered liquid assets.) Asset limit for non-homeowners: $7,000 in liquid assets.
- EXCEPTION to asset limit: Assets can exceed the amounts listed above if the combination of income and the amount of liquid assets over the asset limit, when added together, do not exceed the income limit. (For example, if a homeowner with a family of 4 has assets of 15,000, $10,000 in assets is disregarded, and the remaining $5000 in assets is added to income. If his/her income is still under 150%FPL, this household IS eligible.)
INCOME GUIDELINES
CHAP: BETWEEN 150% FPL - 60% STATE MEDIAN INCOME
| Household size |
150% FPL |
60% State Median |
1 |
15,600 |
29,272 |
| 2 |
21,000 |
38,279 |
| 3 |
26,400 |
47,286 |
| 4 |
31,800 |
56,293 |
| 5 |
37,200 |
65,299 |
| 6 |
42,600 |
74,306 |
| 7 |
48,000 |
75,995 |
| 8 |
53,400 |
77,684 |
HOW TO APPLY: Call Community Action Agency site taking CEAP/CHAP applications from applicant’s town of residence, and make appointment. Some sites accept walk-ins, but most are by appointment. Must re-apply EVERY YEAR! People on entitlement programs may get the application in the mail, but they have to present the application in person, by appointment, with supporting documents! Cannot apply by mail. People unable to go in person because they are disabled have the right to request that the CAA agency send someone to their home to take the application.
TIMETABLE:
- Nov. 1, 2008: First day for fuel deliveries that CHAP will pay for.
- Nov. 3, 2008: First day for authorization of fuel deliveries.
- March 16, 2009: Last day that a household can apply for Prioritized Service.
- March 16, 2009: Deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries from Basic Benefits, Crisis Benefits.
- May 1, 2009: Last day household can apply to establish eligibility for Basic Benefits.
- May 15, 2009: Last day that a utility heated household with a shut off notice for its primary source of heat can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits.
- May 31, 2009: Last day to submit deliverable fuel bills.
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
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SOURCE: 2007/2008 State Energy Plan, Conn. Dept. of Social Services http://www.ct.gov/staywarm
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2008
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