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Vermont Department for Children and Families Crisis Fuel Assistance Rules Economic Services Division 3100 Crisis Fuel Assistance

3100 Crisis Fuel Assistance (06/22/2024, 23-20)

a. The Fuel Assistance Program is authorized and funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant (42 U.S.C. §§ 8621–8630), and through the State of Vermont Home Heating Fuel Assistance Program (33 V.S.A. §§ 2601–2609).

b. It is the purpose of the Fuel Assistance Program to secure the safety and health of low-income Vermont households by providing essential home heating assistance.

c. The Fuel Assistance Program offers both seasonal fuel assistance, rules 2900–2927, and crisis fuel assistance, rules 3100–3113.

1. The Seasonal Fuel Assistance Rules are incorporated by reference herein to the extent they do not conflict with these Crisis Fuel Assistance Rules.

d. Crisis fuel assistance may be granted to alleviate an emergency for households at risk of being without heat.

e. The Department may contract with community or other organizations for crisis fuel eligibility determination and benefit issuance.

1. If the Department contracts with another entity, these Crisis Fuel Assistance Rules apply.

f. Each year the Department shall allocate an appropriate amount of funds to the crisis fuel assistance program.

g. These rules are adopted pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 2602(b) and § 2609(a).