GOOD TO KNOW: Apply for free heating oil to low-income households by Feb. 26

Citizens Energy is now accepting applications for its heating oil program for the 2009-10 heating season. Citizens Energy provides eligible households with a free, one-time delivery of up to 100 gallons of heating oil. The deadline for submitting an application is Feb. 26, 2010.

There are two ways of applying for the benefit:

Over the phone at 1-877-563-4645 or

By completing an application online at http://extranet.citizens energy.cm.onlineapplication.

Unfortunately, unlike past years, there is no printed application available to complete and mail in.

The demand for this benefit is extremely high and, unfortunately, this has resulted in being very difficult to either get through to customer service representatives or complete an online application. Applying for the benefit will likely require some patience and perseverance on your part. It is possible to get through, however, though it may take a few tries.

Eligibility for the heating oil benefit is the same as eligibility for energy assistance. A household must have income at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income for its size. For a single-person household, that is $1,953 per month; for a two-person household, that is $2,554 per month. (If your household is larger than two people, the limit increases depending on how many people are in the household.) There is no asset test.

If you apply and are found eligible, you will receive an approval letter from Citizens Energy. A voucher will be included along with the approval letter. It is then your responsibility to contact your oil provider and set up a delivery time. You must provide the oil provider with the voucher prior to or at the time of delivery.

For an oil provider to receive reimbursement from Citizens Energy, they must be registered with Citizens Energy. For this reason it is a good idea to contact your current oil provider before you apply for the benefit and ask them if they are registered with the program. If they are not, you will want to request on your application that Citizens Energy refer you to a registered dealer in your area.

If you have any additional questions, you may call Pat Hafermann, elderly benefits specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Center, at (920) 467-4076.

Resource: “The Specialist” January 2010