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New Hampshire residents struggling with elevated energy costs, often intensified by the state’s extreme weather, can find critical assistance through a suite of New Hampshire Utility Relief Programs. These state and federally funded programs are designed not just to provide immediate financial aid but also to ensure long-term stability and safety within the home. The support structure is comprehensive, offering bill discounts, emergency heating grants, and free structural home energy upgrades. Accessing these programs requires understanding a unified application system managed by local Community Action Agencies(CAAs).
The state streamlines access to its three primary energy initiatives: the Fuel Assistance Program(FAP), the Electric Assistance Program(EAP), and the Weatherization Assistance Program(WAP). All three share a consistent income benchmark, simplifying the application process for households seeking maximum benefit.
The Single Application Point: Community Action Agencies
Local Community Action Agencies(CAAs) are the designated, single point of entry for all major state-administered utility relief programs. These local offices are contracted by the state to handle all application interviews and eligibility determinations for FAP, EAP, and WAP. Relying on the CAA system ensures that applicants receive professional, centralized guidance without needing to contact multiple state departments.
Unified Eligibility Standard for State Programs
A key element of New Hampshire’s strategy is the use of one income standard across its three core energy assistance programs. To qualify for FAP, EAP, or WAP, a household’s gross income must fall up to 60% of the New Hampshire State Median Income(SMI) at the time of application. This unified threshold allows a single application to qualify a household for heating grants, electric bill discounts, and weatherization services, maximizing the support received.
FAP, which functions as New Hampshire’s version of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP), provides crucial grants to manage the financial burden of winter heating. This program targets households facing high energy costs relative to their income.
Structure of FAP Grants
FAP benefits are provided as a non-repayable grant, meaning recipients never have to pay the money back. The program covers various heating sources, including natural gas, electric, oil, kerosene, propane, and wood. Funds are typically paid directly to the chosen heating vendor, or to a landlord if heat is included in the monthly rent. Importantly, FAP grants are not counted as income when a household applies for other state or federal benefits.
Financial Benefit Range and Calculation
FAP benefits are not static; they are precisely calculated to prioritize households with the greatest need. The amount of the grant can range from a minimum of $100 up to a maximum of $2,177. The calculation considers multiple factors to target the assistance effectively:
Currently, the average FAP benefit awarded to qualified New Hampshire households is approximately $1,045. This careful targeting ensures the highest grants go to those with the lowest incomes and highest energy expenses.
FAP Priority Application Timeline
Securing FAP benefits requires timely action, as funding is limited and seasonal. While the official assistance period runs from December 1 through April 30, the application process opens significantly earlier. New Hampshire uses a phased system to prioritize the most vulnerable applicants:
Emergency Heating Intervention
Beyond standard financial grants, FAP provides a vital lifeline during immediate heating emergencies. Once program grant funds are released after December 1, emergency applications are prioritized. Emergency services include securing an urgent fuel delivery for homes with dangerously low reserves or intervening to delay a pending utility shut-off. This crisis intervention is typically reserved for households with less than one week of fuel or for renters facing eviction due to heat included in their rent.
The Electric Assistance Program provides crucial, sustained relief on monthly electric bills for eligible residents. This program offers continuous, year-round assistance, helping households manage their non-heating electric costs.
Substantial Monthly Discounts
EAP delivers substantial discounts on monthly electric utility charges, with potential savings reaching up to 86%. The precise discount is calculated based on two core factors: the household’s gross income level and the number of people living in the household. Because EAP is a continuous, 12-month program, it offers a consistent baseline financial advantage.
Key Secondary Benefits
Enrollment in EAP offers significant protections beyond just the bill discount. These secondary financial benefits stabilize a customer’s standing with their utility:
EAP is available to customers of regulated utilities that participate in the program, including Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, and the New Hampshire Electric Co-op(NHEC). The application is processed through the local Community Action Agency.
The Weatherization Assistance Program(WAP) offers a proactive, long-term solution to high energy costs by improving home energy efficiency. Instead of just covering the bill, WAP invests in the household's structure to permanently lower consumption.
Free and Comprehensive Home Upgrades
WAP is provided at no cost to qualified participants, covering 100% of the services rendered . The program aims to provide up to $5,000 in energy efficiency upgrades for households especially vulnerable to rising utility costs. These physical home improvements result in permanent, ongoing utility expense reductions.
The Scope of Weatherization Services
All work performed under WAP is based on the results of a comprehensive home energy audit. This audit includes diagnostic testing and is performed by an energy auditor certified by the Department of Energy(DOE) or the Building Performance Institute. The audit determines which specific, cost-effective measures are necessary.
Typical weatherization services covered by the program include:
WAP is available to both homeowners, including those in mobile homes, and renters, provided a renter secures landlord permission.
The Dual Application Requirement
To apply for WAP, an applicant does not need a separate form. They must simply complete either the Fuel Assistance Application or the Electric Assistance Application. Crucially, the applicant must answer YES to the embedded question that asks, “Are you interested in receiving weatherization services”. This single step connects applicants to both immediate financial aid and long-term home improvement services, maximizing the value of their initial CAA contact.
For New Hampshire residents facing emergency situations who may not qualify for federal or state programs because their income is slightly too high, utility-specific charitable funds provide an essential safety net . These funds are supported by private donations and target acute energy crises.
Neighbor Helping Neighbor(NHN) Fund
The NHN Fund is a key source of emergency energy aid in New Hampshire.
Project Care (NHEC Customers Only)
Project Care is a dedicated charitable organization assisting members of the New Hampshire Electric Co-op(NHEC). It serves as a last line of defense for its members.
New Hampshire residents are protected by strict regulations from the Public Utilities Commission(PUC) regarding when and how a utility can disconnect service. Understanding these rights can provide critical time to seek assistance.
Mandatory Notice Requirements
State regulations impose strict requirements for utility shutoffs. The utility must first attempt to notify an adult residing at the premises.
Timing and Scheduling Constraints
Residential service disconnection is severely restricted by time and day to ensure customers have time to seek recourse.
Financial and Welfare Protections
PUC rules specify several financial and welfare-based conditions under which a utility is legally prohibited from shutting off service.
Extreme Weather Protection Moratorium
New Hampshire regulations ensure protection during periods of extreme temperature . Utilities must adhere to one of two policies:
Customers should confirm which policy their specific utility enforces to understand their legal protections during periods of extreme cold or heat.
If attempts to resolve a billing dispute or payment issue directly with the utility are unsuccessful, the matter should be escalated to the New Hampshire Department of Energy(DOE) Consumer Services Division. This division is the primary body responsible for resolving consumer complaints and enforcing state regulatory compliance.
Contacting the DOE Consumer Services Division
The DOE provides several accessible channels for residents to file a formal complaint or seek assistance:
Alternative Resources for Assistance
In addition to the DOE, residents can access broader, interconnected support networks for financial and human services:
New Hampshire’s utility relief system is built on a foundation of centralized access and consistent eligibility standards. By initiating contact with their local Community Action Agency(CAA), residents can efficiently access the Fuel Assistance Program(FAP) for heating grants, the Electric Assistance Program(EAP) for sustained bill discounts, and the Weatherization Assistance Program(WAP) for free home efficiency upgrades. Understanding the strict PUC disconnection rules and leveraging charitable funds like Neighbor Helping Neighbor ensures that residents have both preventative financial aid and a legal safety net during crises, promoting stable and safe housing conditions throughout the year.
The two main state-administered programs are the Electric Assistance Program (EAP) and the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP). The EAP provides a discount of 5% to 86% on your monthly electric bill, while the FAP (part of the federal LIHEAP) offers a grant ranging from $100 to over $2,000 to help pay for heating fuel, including oil, propane, electric, wood, and pellets.
To qualify for Fuel Assistance or the Electric Assistance Program, your gross household income must not exceed 60% of the New Hampshire State Median Income. For the 2025-2026 program year, the estimated limit for a family of four is approximately $91,548 annually. These limits are updated yearly, so verify current figures with your local Community Action Agency (CAA).
It depends on your county. While the New Hampshire Department of Energy manages the programs, applications are processed by five regional Community Action Agencies (CAAs). Some agencies, like the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, offer online application portals. Others may require you to print an application or schedule an in-person or phone appointment. Contact your local CAA to confirm their specific options.
New Hampshire law provides protection against disconnection for eligible customers between November 15 and March 31. However, you must still pay your current bills or follow a payment plan. You generally cannot be disconnected if you have a financial hardship and the arrears are under $450, or if a physician certifies a medical emergency. You must contact your utility provider to enact these protections; they are not automatic.
Neighbor Helping Neighbor is a charitable fund for residents who are not eligible for federally funded programs like LIHEAP but are facing a temporary financial crisis. If you are over the income limit for government aid but have a disconnection notice or a broken payment arrangement, you may qualify for a grant of up to $300 (or $200 for non-electric heat) every two years to prevent service interruption.
Yes. The Gas Assistance Program is available for income-eligible customers of Liberty Utilities and Unitil. If you qualify for Fuel Assistance, you may also be eligible for a 45% discount on your natural gas distribution charges from November 1 through April 30. You generally do not need a separate application if you are already enrolled in the Fuel Assistance Program.
Yes. You can still apply for the Fuel Assistance Program even if heat is included in your rent. If approved, the benefit is paid to your landlord or management company, and your rent may be reduced accordingly for that period. You must provide a Landlord/Tenant Verification form signed by your landlord to prove your rental arrangement.
Processing times vary by agency but generally take up to 30 to 60 days after you submit a complete application. It is critical to apply early. Priority applications (for households with elderly, disabled members, or young children) often open in July, while standard applications open in September for the heating season beginning December 1.
You typically need to provide proof of gross income for all household members for the 30 days prior to your application (pay stubs, pension letters, SSA benefits), copies of your most recent electric and heating bills, social security cards for all household members, and proof of residency. Self-employed individuals will need their most recent tax return and schedules.
The Fuel Assistance Program typically runs until April 30. However, the Electric Assistance Program (EAP) accepts applications year-round. If you are facing an immediate crisis outside of the standard application window or after funds have been exhausted, contact your town's local welfare office or call 2-1-1 to find other local charities or "gap" funding sources like the Salvation Army.
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