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PROJECT WARMTH GUIDELINES - 2009 - 2010

Program Description

Project Warmth is a United Way of Long Island emergency assistance program to help families and individuals with energy emergencies. It provides one-time assistance up to $400 for fuel and/or $100 for fuel related electricity. The program period scheduled to open on or about December 1st and is available until funds are exhausted. A customer may use a Project Warmth heating grant to pay for any fuel source: oil, gas or electric, propane, kerosene, coal, wood and an electric bill if electricity is needed to operate the heating source.

Basic Eligibility Requirements
Among the eligibility guidelines applicants must meet are:

• Residency in Nassau County, Suffolk County or the Rockaway area in Queens (LIPA service area).
• Show a heating and/or fuel-related electric bill in applicant’s name and address that is in termination, pending disconnect or severely overdue (for any fuel source) or be financially unable to secure heating oil/propane/kerosene etc. when the tank is empty/near empty.
• Demonstrate financial hardship and provide an acceptable explanation for arrears.
• Applicant may only receive fuel and/or one fuel related electric assistance once per program year.
• Applicants eligible for Emergency HEAP must apply to HEAP prior to applying to Project Warmth.
  • Upon receiving a termination notice immediately apply for Emergency HEAP
  • An Emergency HEAP approval provides gas/electric customers with a 30-day hold on terminations, allowing for time to apply for Project Warmth and make deferred payment arrangements with the vendor.

Some Ineligible Conditions

• Bill not in applicant’s name or applicant not in residence at billing address.
• Declining to apply for HEAP assistance when qualified.
• Non-active account or commercial account.
• Non fuel-related electricity accounts (heat included in rent).
• Current bill with no past due amount, or if a HEAP grant satisfies the past due amount.
• SSI recipients who may receive an “SSI guarantee” at the Dept. of Social Service to eliminate the emergency situation.
• Topped oil tank during a prior Project Warmth grant period.

Application

The agencies that will process applications for the 2008-2009 Project Warmth program will be listed on the United Way website at www.unitedwayli.org when the program is open. Applications are not sent out or received by mail. PLEASE NOTE, a referral is not a guarantee of acceptance. The Project Warmth agency staff will determine eligibility based on the documentation provided by the applicant and more detailed application requirements than are listed above.