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Crisis Fuel Assistance


A program that can help you with a heating crisis in the winter months.

Who Is Eligible

  • Your household income must be equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level
  • You must be experiencing a heating crisis (e.g., you're out of fuel and have no money to buy more).

If Your Application Is Approved

The program can help you:

  • Purchase the primary source of your heat.
  • Pay for electricity if it's required to run your heating system.
  • Negotiate payment plans.
  • Work with your electric or natural gas company to prevent disconnection.

When To Apply

  • If you heat with bulk fuels (e.g., oil, kerosene, propane, wood, pellets, and coal) — apply from the last Monday in November to the second Friday in April.
  • If you heat with metered fuels (e.g., natural gas, electric, or metered propane) — apply from  the last Monday in November to the last regular working day in April.

Don't wait until you run out of fuel to apply. Fuel dealers often charge a special trip fee for emergency deliveries. We cannot help you if the fuel has already been delivered or the furnace work has been completed.


How To Apply

  • Apply in person at your local Community Action Agency.
  • Please call first. They'll tell you what documents and information you need to bring.
  • If you are elderly or disabled and can't apply in person, your local agency may accept your application by phone.

Weekends & Holidays

If you are elderly, disabled, or have a child under 6 living in your household:

  • You may call 1-800-479-6151 toll-free  — on weekends and holidays — to apply for Crisis Fuel Assistance.
  • You can do this starting the last Saturday in November until the first Sunday in April.

If you are granted assistance on a weekend or holiday, you'll still need to complete an application at your local Community Action Agency  If you don’t, you might not get assistance in the future.