Urges Seniors
to Investigate Options
As of December 1, senior citizens can apply to Operation
Fuel for one-time payment of up to $500 dollars to use
to pay their oil, electric or natural gas utility bills.
Single seniors with income of less than $48,800 and
married seniors with income of less than $63,800 are
eligible.
“While we are all being hit by this recession,
seniors on fixed incomes are especially vulnerable this
winter,” said Senator Debicella (R-21). “Our
expansion of Operation Fuel to middle class seniors
will help thousands with their heating bills.”
In August, Senator Debicella co-sponsored SB-1101,
which authorized the funding. Today, Senator Debicella
urged Connecticut residents to seek the assistance they
may need in the coming winter months. On Wednesday,
November 12, a bill co-sponsored by State Senator Dan
Debicella won funding approval from various committees
of the General Assembly.
“I am pleased to have played a role in making
this funding available to seniors in our communities,”
said Senator Debicella. “I urge residents to take
a close look at what’s available to them and apply
for programs as soon as they can.”
The approved legislation allocates $4 million dollars
for Governor Rell’s Elderly Home Heating Assistance
Plan (EHHAP) for eligible residents age 65 or older.
EHHAP is run by Operation Fuel and will help offset
expenses incurred through March 15, 2009. Participants
will receive a one-time payment of up to $500 dollars
to use to pay their fuel, electric or natural gas utility
bills.
In order to be eligible for this program, you must
be a Connecticut resident, aged 65 or older on or after
November 1, 2008. Your income must be equal to or less
than the state median. For a household of one, the state
median income is $48,787; for a household of two, the
state median is $63,798.
Applications will be accepted beginning December 1,
2008. To apply for assistance, seniors should call the
following numbers depending on which town they live
in:
– Stratford: First Baptist Church (203) 333-9033
– Shelton: TEAM, Inc. (203) 736-5420
– Monroe: Monroe Special Services (203) 452-2813
– Seymour: TEAM, Inc. (203) 736-5420
Senator Debicella asked that seniors do not call until
December 1, as the agencies will not be accepting applications
until then. If seniors have any questions on the programs
or other benefits available, they should call his office
at 1-800-842-1421 or e-mail him at dan.debicella@cga.ct.gov.
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