Delaware Energy Bill Assistance Program (DEAP) and free weatherization.
Utility bills, including heating and cooling, can be paid for by the Delaware Energy Assistance Program, or DEAP. The Division of State Service Centers run this free grant program, and may offer it in combination with weatherization. The state of Delaware also partners with Catholic Charities in order to ensure that anyone who qualifies for utility bill help is able to receive it. The Delaware DEAP financial assistance program is part of the federal government LIHEAP, or low-income energy bill assistance.
These programs are funded by the federal government and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They can assist low income families with their home energy needs, whether paying utility or heating bills or saving energy and money. Find how to apply for weatherization and low income energy bill help in Delaware below.
Free government grants in Delaware from DEAP to help pay utility bills
Low income households, the vulnerable (such as disabled or elderly) are the main recipients. There are a few main components of DEAP, which include the following.
The Summer Cooling Assistance Program is offered as funding allows during the hot summer months of June to August. It can help pay for electricity expenses and air conditioning bills that are needed to keep homes cool. Not only can grants and funds be used to pay high utility bills, but some individuals (in particular seniors) may be eligible to receive a free, gently room sized air conditioning unit or maybe a more simple fan.
Fuel, or heating bill assistance, is the main LIHEAP program that helps pay energy bills during the timeframe of October 1 - March 31, which is really the colder fall, winter, and early spring months. Aid provided can include grants to income eligible households to help them pay for their home heating expenses, which includes, but is not limited to, natural gas, kerosene, electricity, propane, coal, or wood. No matter your heating source, the state of Delaware may have a grant program to assist.
The Delaware Energy Assistance Program can also help struggling people faced with a crisis or emergency situation. This component, which is also offered only in the winter, can help households in a crisis during the winter months and who have no other options. Assistance offered may be in the form of a supplemental cash grant to their fuel assistance benefit, which is indicated above.
Any assistance on your heating or electricity bill will be provided as a credit on your account. You will need to let the state know who your electric provider is so that your monthly energy bills will be adjusted with the amount of your. While LIHEAP in Delaware will either greatly reduce or help people pay their electric bill, it will not pay for the entire cost.
Conserve energy for free from weatherization
Delaware Weatherization Program is offered across the state. While funding comes from the federal government and state, the work is done at the local level by community action agencies. These non-profits offer the free weatherization services to qualified lower income residents.
Some of the agencies that have run weatherization in the past include First State Community Action Agency (serving Kent and Sussex County) as well as Neighborhood House, Inc. (serving New Castle County). However you do need to apply at Catholic Charities, and their information is above under the LIHEAP section.
The U.S. Department of Energy created the Weatherization Assistance Program in order to help people save money by reducing costs on their home heating and utility bills. It will in effect increase the energy efficiency of their homes, and also make them healthier, safer, and more comfortable to live in. The Delaware Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program places emphasis on serving senior citizens, children, the elderly, the disabled, and residents whose homes have an excessive heating cost. There is often a waiting list for the program.
The state will provide an energy audit of your home by a professional auditor. Then improvements will be made, and can include air sealing, insulation, fixing emergency gas leaks, shell work, ventilation, and more. All updates are done at no cost to the homeowner.
While the exact amount of savings experienced will vary, many people will save on average $430 per year on their heating and cooling bills. The program provides an opportunity to significantly reduce the heating and fuel assistance needed by lower income households.
How to apply for government funded low income energy bill help in Delaware
The applicant needs to be experiencing a crisis and they need to provide it. Examples of what DEAP can pay for include shut-off notice, no money to pay for fuel, or out of fuel. To apply, call the following. New Castle County, phone (302) 654-9295. Kent County, dial (302) 674-1782 and Sussex County. Phone (302) 856-6310.
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