Senate Leadership
December 18, 2007
Help is On the Way for Thousands of Residents Not Protected By Connecticut’s No-Freeze Policy
State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. Says Increased Funding for Operation Fuel Will Help More Low-Income and Elderly Families Survive the Home Heating Oil Crisis
State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today said that Operation Fuel will begin receiving some of the $5 million in state funding that the Legislature secured for the current fiscal year. The State's Office of Policy and Management (OPM) signed contracts with the non-profit organization late Monday afternoon.
"Operation Fuel helps keep the heat on in thousands of homes across Connecticut, in many cases by actually buying a tank of oil for low-income families and the elderly," said Senator Williams. "These are families that are most at risk in Connecticut because they're not protected by the state's no freeze policy, which only covers homes that heat with gas or electricity."
"We know that more than 50% of Connecticut's homes are heated with oil and that the federal government's failure to provide adequate relief during this home heating oil crisis makes organizations like Operation Fuel even more vital," said Senator Williams. "I am proud that the Legislature was able to secure more funding for Operation Fuel and enable it to serve hundreds more low-income and elderly families."
Thanks to the increased state funding for Operation Fuel, 5,000 households are expected to receive assistance this winter--an increase of approximately 40% from last year. Operation Fuel operates throughout Connecticut via a network of 63 fuel banks and typically provides services (a grant of up to $500 per household or one tank of home heating oil) for families whose income is between 151% and 200% of the federal poverty level. Operation Fuel recipients are typically a family of four with an income between $30,975 and $41,300. More than 12% of the people receiving help with heating costs are elderly (age 60 or above).
During the 2006-2007 heating season, Operation Fuel provided 3,500 Connecticut households with a total of $1 million in assistance. Senator Williams fought for, and secured, additional funding for Operation Fuel in the current year's budget. The Legislature increased funding by providing $1.75 million for direct assistance, and $750,000 to address technology and other administrative needs of the program that were in desperate need of updates or repairs, even before Operation Fuel was charged with significantly expanding its services.
In addition, another $2.5 million was appropriated to create a one-time, "clean slate" program to deal with energy customers who are carrying arrearages from the last 24 months. The maximum "clean slate" benefit is $1,000. According to Operation Fuel, it must complete a detailed proposal for distribution of the "clean slate" funds before the $2.5 million is released.
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