Southwestern Community Services
Energy Assistance
SCS Energy Services is comprised of the Fuel Assistance Program, the Electric Assistance Program, Neighbor Helping Neighbor, and the Senior Energy Assistance Program.
Fair Hearing Procedures
All FAP applicants/clients who have been denied services or question the fuel assistance services provided are entitled to a Fair Hearing. All FAP applicants/clients will be provided with information as to the FAP Fair Hearings Procedures.
SCS will provide written notification to all FAP applicants of either:
- The denial of benefits
OR - The benefit determination
The denial letter includes notification of:
- The right to a Fair Hearing (printed on the back of the denial letter)
- A brief explanation of the FAP Fair Hearing process (also on the back of the denial letter)
- That a Fair Hearing request to OEP must be made within thirty (30) days of receipt
- A brief statement of the reason(s) for denial of benefits.
The denial letter to the applicant/client shall also inform the applicant/client that he or she may meet with or talk directly to the Energy Services Director. The exchange may occur either over the phone or in-person but must occur within ten (10) days of the applicant/client’s request.
During this exchange between the applicant/client and the Energy Services Director, the applicant/client will have an opportunity to express his or her concerns, and the Director will have an opportunity to review and attempt to resolve the dispute. SCS is responsible for documenting the results of the call. The documentation should contain information relative to the eligibility requirements or benefit determination.
If the client/applicant is not satisfied with the results of the meeting, the Director will remind the applicant/client of his/her right to request a Fair Hearing at the state level with OEP. The applicant/client may request a Fair Hearing with OEP with or without first electing to participate in a meeting with the Director.
*Please note: any notes written in the system can be requested by the applicant so it is of the utmost importance that ALL system notes are professional and concise.
For further information, please reference page 33 of the NH State Manual
PDF Forms
- Energy Assistance Application and Proxy-Authorization
- Change of Address or Vendor
- Child Residency Declaration
- Child Support Verification
- Direct Express Verification
- Employment Earnings Verification
- Financial Support Verification
- General Self Declaration
- Landlord Verification
- No or Low-Income Declaration
- Self Employment Packet
Useful Links:
- Eversource
- Liberty Utilities
- Neighbor Helping Neighbor
- NH Electric Co-op
- NH Safetank Program
- Office of Strategic Initiatives
- FAP Eligibility Tool
These are supplemental forms for the program, not the actual application. To apply please call out Keene or Claremont office.
Fuel Assistance
The Fuel Assistance Program provides financial assistance for heating and utility expenses to elderly, handicapped, and low-income residents. Please refer to our program brochure for more information.
Current income guidelines for fuel assistance are outlined in the table below. Please note that income limits are subject to change. The Fuel Assistance Program opens on December 1 and closes on April 30.
2024-2025 Income Guidelines for Fuel Assistance
| Household Size | Income Limit Monthly | Income Limit Annually |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,759 | $45,733 |
| 2 | $4,916 | $59,805 |
| 3 | $6,072 | $73,877 |
| 4 | $7,229 | $87,949 |
| 5 | $8,385 | $102,020 |
| 6 | $9,542 | $116,092 |
| 7 | $9,759 | $118,731 |
| 8 | $9,976 | $121,369 |
State Emergency Fuel Assistance Program (SEFAP)
One-time heating benefit paid directly to the heating vendor – $450.00
State Supplemental Electric Benefit Program (SSEBP)
One-time electric benefit paid directly to the electric vendor – $200.00
| Household Size | Income Limit Monthly | Income Limit Annually |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4,004 | $48,711 |
| 2 | $5,236 | $63,699 |
| 3 | $6,467 | $78,688 |
| 4 | $7,700 | $93,676 |
| 5 | $8,931 | $108,634 |
| 6 | $10,163 | $123,653 |
| 7 | $10,394 | $126,463 |
| 8 | $10,625 | $129,274 |
Complete a Fuel Assistance Application and applicants will be automatically enrolled if they meet the requirement.
The last day for applications is April 30th.
Electric Assistance Program
The Electric Assistance Program provides qualifying utility customers with a discount on their monthly electric bill. The discount is based on the household gross income and type of space heating used in the home. Applications are taken year round for the Electric Assistance Program. For more information please see our brochure.
Current income guidelines for electric assistance are outlined in the table below. Please note that income limits are subject to change.
2024-2025 Income Guidelines for Electric Assistance
| Household Size | Income Limit Monthly |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,422 |
| 2 | $4,475 |
| 3 | $5,528 |
| 4 | $6,581 |
| 5 | $7,634 |
| 6 | $8,709 |
| 7 | $8,885 |
| 8 | $9,082 |
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
This program provides funds for utility energy assistance (electric or natural gas) to needy individuals who are experiencing hardships, have disconnects pending, and are ineligible for help from the Fuel Assistance Program. (This non-profit charitable funding is generously supported by corporate matching contributions from customers and employees of Unitil/Concord Electron, Keyspan, Unitil/Exeter & Hampton Electric, Granite State Electric, Northern Utilities, Natural Gas, and Eversource.)
Senior Energy Assistance Program
The Senior Energy Assistance Program (SEAS) provides energy assistance funds in an amount of up to $500 per elderly household for individuals, 60 years of age or older, who are over income under the low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program secures and maintains maximum independence and dignity in a home environment for elderly individuals capable of self-care with appropriate supportive services. The number of households served will depend on funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Cheshire County call 352.7512
For Sullivan County call 542.9528
You will receive a notification from the program either way by mail.
An emergency is when there is less than an 1/4 of a tank of fuel remaining or less than 20% remaining for propane during the heating season. For wood/pellets it is less than a one week supply.
