First Round Of Supplemental Heap Payments Has Begun

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, MaineHousing made the first round of supplemental heating assistance payments that are the result of a $40 million appropriation made by the state Legislature in January.

This state funding, which is going directly to heating fuel vendors, will double the heating benefit for households who are eligible for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or HEAP in Maine.

“This significant additional support from the Maine Legislature and Governor Mills will help thousands of our fellow Mainers stay warm in the days and weeks ahead,” said MaineHousing Director Daniel Brennan.

MaineHousing is using the funding to help double the purchasing power of the existing federal benefit in an effort at offsetting the high cost of heating fuels, especially kerosene and No. 2 home heating oil, used by the vast majority of Maine residents for heat.

“We are pleased to be moving these funds to where they are needed most, especially as we head into a deep cold snap this weekend,” Brennan said.

The supplemental state HEAP payment will double the typical heating benefit for most HEAP households, bringing it to between $1,400 and $2,400. 

To learn more about MaineHousing’s programs, including the HEAP program, visit: www.mainehousing.org

Maine’s Community Action Agencies have also each received a portion of the $10 million emergency fuel funding to prevent people and families from running out of heating fuel and experiencing a heating emergency. 

If you are out of heating fuel and have no heat or are very low on heating fuel, you should contact your nearest community action agency and they can direct you to available emergency heating resources.

You can find a full list of Maine CAAs here: HEAP Agency Contacts (mainehousing.org)