Bundle Me Up is a Maine State government website that contains a lot of information about
keeping warm, saving energy, finding assistance, and both links and information to grant
programs that can help people who might need a little help.
http://www.bundlemeup.org/tips.htm
This website gives you lots of hints about comparing energy costs, saving money on heating and
cooling, and where to go for further information. Also tips on heating with wood, kerosene,
hot air or forced hot water, etc. etc. etc. You will also find hints about where to get the biggest
bang for your buck when it comes to making home repairs or fixing things with an eye to saving energy.
http://www.bundlemeup.org/home_rehab.htm
The Maine Home Repair Network program is targeted to low-income homeowners. The maximum household income
limits vary by county and family size. Please contact your local Community Action Program (CAP) agency to
see if you qualify for assistance.
AROOSTOOK COUNTY ACTION PROGRAM
Aroostook County Residents
1-800-432-7881
COASTAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP
Sagadahoc & Lincoln County Residents
207-442-7963
COMMUNITY CONCEPTS, INC.
Androscoggin & Oxford County Residents
207-743-7716
KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
Kennebec & Somerset County Residents
207-859-1550
COASTAL COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
Knox County Residents
207-596-0361
PEOPLE REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
Cumberland County Residents
207-842-2988
PENQUIS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
Penobscot & Piscataquis County Residents
207-973-3500
WALDO COUNTY COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL ACTION
Waldo County Residents
1-800-498-3025
WASHINGTON-HANCOCK COMMUNITY ACTION
Washington & Hancock County Residents
1-800-828-7544
WESTERN MAINE COMMUNITY ACTION
Franklin County Residents
207-645-3764
YORK COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION CORP
York County Residents
207-324-5762
Grants for weatherization, heating system improvements, and fuel assistance
Lower-income Maine households may be eligible for help in dealing with heating costs through three
different but related programs. All three programs are federally funded through the Maine State Housing
Authority to the 11 regional Community Action Program (CAP) agencies (see above). Persons interested
in using the programs should apply at the CAP agency that serves their area of the state. The three programs are:
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Provides money to low income
homeowners and renters to help pay heating bills. In most instances the money is paid directly to the fuel
vendor. Persons interested in applying for LIHEAP should contact their regional CAP agency (see above).
Note that the purpose of the program is to help pay heating costs; it is not intended to pay for the entire
cost of heating a home. The amount of assistance is based in part on the amount of federal funding available
for this program, and that amount varies from year to year. A small amount of the LIHEAP money is reserved
for emergency situations, where persons are out of fuel or are about to run out. The emergency funds are very limited.
- Weatherization Program - Provides grants to low income homeowners to fund energy-related
repairs or improvements to the home. The income limits of eligible applicants are the same as in the LIHEAP
program. Persons interested in applying should contact their regional CAP agency (see list of CAPs for one closest to you).
Generally the Weatherization program pay for such things as adding insulation, weather-stripping,
storm doors and windows, and similar energy savings improvements. The average grant amount
is generally $1,100 to $1,500.
- Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) - Provides funds to repair or replace central
heating systems in homes of low-income households. The income limits of eligible applicants is the same as in
the LIHEAP and Weatherization programs. Persons interested in applying for a CHIP grant should contact their
regional CAP agency (see list of CAPs for one closest to you). The average CHIP grant is generally about $1,750.
Bundle Me Up
http://www.bundlemeup.org/links.htm
This is a link to a website with a wide range of agencies, public and private, that have information
and programs on energy and fuel assistance.
