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2026 - 2027 I PY27 NH Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) Procedures Manual 6 2. INTRODUCTION

The NH Department of Energy (NH DOE) is responsible for the statewide administration of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance block grant (LIHEAP) referred to as the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP). LIHEAP is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS). The NH DOE in turn contracts with five, locally based Community Action Agencies (CAA) to provide services to eligible households.

The Fuel Assistance Program provides certified income-eligible households with assistance in paying their energy bills during the winter heating season. The NH program prioritizes households where elderly, disabled persons, and/or young children reside. Benefits are calculated by considering household income for all residents in the home, housing type/size, fuel type, and the energy costs for that housing type within a region. This targeting allows those households with the lowest income and the highest energy cost to receive the highest benefits.

Coordination between Fuel Assistance and Weatherization

The NH DOE is also responsible for the administration of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), funded through the U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE). Therefore, every effort will be made to coordinate services between the Fuel Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program to provide the best possible benefits to those who require services from both programs.

The LIHEAP statute (Section 2605 (b) (1) (c)) allows LIHEAP funding for low-cost residential weatherization and other cost-effective energy-related repair. LIHEAP will allocate funding for LIHEAP Funded Weatherization measures to FAP-eligible households when funds allow.

The Fuel Assistance/Electric Assistance/Weatherization Assistance Application (Attachment A) is the form utilized for the New Hampshire Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, and Weatherization Programs.

The joint Fuel Assistance/Electric Assistance/Weatherization Assistance application was designed to allow a client who is applying for fuel assistance benefits to apply for electric assistance and weatherization services at the same time. By installing energy efficiency measures, clients may reduce their dependency on the Fuel Assistance Program or may have their fuel assistance benefits extend further into the heating season since clients served by the Weatherization Assistance Program have warmer, less drafty, and more energy-efficient homes.