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Assistance Programs

Based on a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate there are 1,310,000 people living in NH. Approximately 80,000 households are eligible to receive financial assistance from one or more state or federal programs. Assistance is only available as funds permit and may be granted on a first-come-first-served basis. Some assistance programs related to utility costs are summarized below.

• Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Qualified households receive assistance for heating costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your local Community Action Agency. www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/

• Electric Assistance Program (EAP) –Qualified households receive assistance for electricity costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your local Community Action Agency. Electric Assistance Program (NHPUC)

• Neighbor Helping Neighbor – Qualified households receive assistance for natural gas or electricity costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your local Community Action Agency.

• Gas Assistance Program - Qualified households receive assistance for natural gas costs. For information regarding eligibility and to apply please contact your gas company. Gas Assistance Programs (NHPUC)

• Project Care – Qualified New Hampshire Electric Cooperative members receive assistance for electricity costs. For information regarding eligibility please contact NHEC. http://nhec.com/community_projectcare.php

• Lifeline - Qualified telephone customers receive a monthly reduction on their residential, local telephone bill.

• LinkUp - Qualified telephone customers receive a 50% reduction (up to $30.00) in the usual cost of installation for local telephone service. Telephone Assistance Programs, Linkup-Lifeline (NHPUC)

For information regarding eligibility and to apply, contact your local telephone company or the Public Utilities Commission at 1-800-852-3793 or visit http://www.puc.nh.gov/Consumer/linkup-lifeline.htm

Please note that balanced billing and budget billing are available from most utilities. Payment arrangements for customers behind on bills are also available from all utilities. To learn more about your payment options, contact your utility. If you feel you need assistance negotiating a payment arrangement, please contact the Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs Department at 1-800-852-3793. The PUC also has Winter Disconnection Rules that provide certain protections from disconnection to residential customers during the winter months. To learn more about the Winter Disconnection Rules please visit http://www.puc.nh.gov/Consumer/winterdisconnectionrules.htm or contact the PUC directly.

Community Action Agencies Websites

Belknap and Merrimack Counties: www.bm-cap.org
Rockingham County: www.rcaction.org
Hillsborough County: www.snhs.org
Cheshire & Sullivan Counties: www.scshelps.org
Strafford County: www.straffcap.org
Coos, Carroll and Grafton Counties: www.tccap.org