Questions received at jwalker@fchn.org may be posted below.
Q: Where can I get fuel assistance?
A: Fuel Assistance is a program designed to help low-income individuals in the area who qualify, pay for kerosene, oil, propane, wood, electricity or coal to heat their homes. Contact:
Western Maine Community Action:
Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) is a social service agency that has been providing services for over 40 years to people living in the western mountain region of Maine. WMCA is funded with private, local, state and federal money.
The majority of WMCA services are designed to assist low to moderate-income people in Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Some of WMCA’s services are available regardless of income. WMCA offers numerous programs and services that include nutrition, health, home ownership, education, training, employment, volunteerism, and heating and energy assistance. The heating and energy assistance program, know as LIHEAP, program runs from October 1 - April 30.
Phone: (207) 645-3764 x 5532 or 1-800-645-9636 x5532, PO Box 200, East Wilton, Maine 04234,
20 Church St., Wilton. tgage@wmca.orgor jfrost@wmca.org. Hours: 8:00-4:30 p.m. Contact: Tania Gage (Livermore and Livermore Falls residents need to contact Community Concepts for more information regarding Fuel Assistance. Vienna residents contact Kennebec Valley Community Action Program.)
Community Concepts:
A Maine non-profit community action agency dedicated to helping people to help themselves. Offices are located in Auburn, South Paris, Rumford and Farmington. Fuel assistance is available through the three offices of Community Concepts for residents of the Livermore/Livermore Falls area. (Franklin County residents contact Western Maine Community Action. Vienna residents contact Kennebec Valley Community Action Program.)
Phone: 1-800-542-8227, Dave Gilpatrick, Housing and LIHEAP Director, 97 Water Street, Waterville
Help for residents of Franklin County provided by Religious Organizations
The churches of Franklin County cooperate to provide emergency fuel assistance to families in need by pooling resources to supplement help available through Western Maine Community Action’s LIHEAP (Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program) and ECIP (Energy Crisis Intervention Program). The Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund is an outreach ministry of the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry (FAEM), designed to provide emergency fuel assistance to any needy family in Franklin County. Individual churches may or may not offer assistance from their own funds. The pastors of cooperating churches refer families in need to Tania Gage at Western Maine Community Action for assistance. Households are encouraged to apply for LIHEAP every year as soon as possible; once qualified, emergency assistance is easier to access.
Recipients must be residents of Franklin County. In the event of a fuel emergency, call Tania Gage at 645-3764, Extension 5523, Monday through Friday, 8:00-4:30 (no holidays). Tania will first apply any federal funds available either under LIHEAP or ECIP. When no federal funds are available, the Ecumenical Heating Fund will cover the cost of delivering 100 gallons of fuel. In the case of families who do not qualify for LIHEAP, but cannot afford fuel, Tania will conduct an interview and may authorize the use of the Ecumenical Heating Fund. Families are encouraged to call during office hours only, since emergency deliveries of fuel on nights and weekends require a special delivery charge.
The Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund is dependent upon donations from churches and individuals.
Donations may be sent to:
Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund, c/o HMBC, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938
For more information, contact: Rev. Susan Crane (778-2163-church, or 897-9466-home) FAEM Coord. for the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund
