GET HELP
Do You Need Help
Paying Utility Bills?
Operation Fuel provides emergency energy and utility assistance to households in Connecticut that are facing financial crisis.
IMPORTANT ENERGY ASSISTANCE UPDATE
As of Friday, February 28 at 4:00pm, Energy Assistance applications are closed for new submissions.
If you have applied, the quickest way to find the status of your application is to check online. We ask that you do not call regarding the status of your application. We review applications in the order they are received and by their priority level (i.e. those in a shut off/out of fuel situation first). We will email a decision to you as soon as possible.
If your fuel level has changed since you applied, please email applications@operationfuel.org with a photo of your current fuel level and we will expedite review. If you have received a pending shut off notice, please send us a photo and we will expedite review.
Definitions for status updates include:
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Pending: This application has NOT been submitted and will not be reviewed unless you log back in and submit.
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Submitted: We have received the application and it is awaiting review from the Operation Fuel team.
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Incomplete: Important information from your application is missing. You should recieve an email regarding what is missing and must log back in to update or upload missing items. Your application cannot be approved until all information is received.
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Denied: Your application has not met our eligibility guidelines. You will receive a denial email.
ALL application notifications will be emailed only. Please check your inbox regularly, including your junk mailbox.
Operation Fuel Energy Assistance Programs
Operation Fuel opens for energy assistance twice per year to support CT residents struggling to pay for their energy and power needs. This program offers Connecticut households one-time energy assistance grants up to $500 towards a utility bill or one-time fuel delivery.
We are proud to partner with Aquarion Water Company, Connecticut Water Company, and the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) to support water assistance programs year-round, or until funding has expired. For more information on Water Assistance, click here.
With Your Energy and Power Needs
CAN I APPLY FOR HELP WITH ELECTRIC, GAS, OR DELIVERABLE FUEL RIGHT NOW? NO.
Eligible Connecticut households can apply for a one-time energy assistance grant up to $500 in a 12-month period. Energy assistance grants are intended to be a one-time, emergency assistance to be used within 30 days of approval. Operation Fuel manages two program season per year, during which we accept applications until funding runs out.
Energy Assistance Programs – CLOSED
Earn up to 75% State Median Income (SMI), which clients verify by submitting pay stubs or other (gross) income documentation from the past 4 weeks.
Wait at least 12 months since you last applied for Operation Fuel assistance. We approve households for up to 1 grant per year, up to $500, to pay an electricity or gas bill. Example: If you applied on 10/1/23, you would next be eligible on 10/1/24.
For electric and gas, clients must show they made at least 4 payments in the past year. Note: payments do not have to be from the last 4 months, and don’t need to be 4 months in a row.
For assistance with electric and gas, the account holder must owe a past due amount; Operation Fuel does not provide utility bill credits.
Energy applicants may also qualify for water assistance in the same year.
Submit an application (currently closed).
Earn up to 75% State Median Income (SMI), which clients verify by submitting pay stubs or other (gross) income documentation from the past 4 weeks.
Wait at least 12 months since you last applied for Operation Fuel assistance. We approve households for up to 1 grant per year, up to $500, a delivered fuel bill. Example: If you applied on 10/1/23, you would next be eligible on 10/1/24.
For delivered fuel assistance, the applicant may only receive a grant toward their future delivery; Operation Fuel does not pay past due balances for delivered fuel customers. All deliveries must be made within 30 days of approval.
Fuel applicants may also qualify for water assistance in the same year.
Submit application (currently closed).
How to present your documents when applying:
Operation Fuel’s energy assistance programs require proof of (gross) income eligibility. Operation Fuel assistance grants are not an entitlement to all Connecticut residents who fall within income guidelines.
- We require that applicants submit documentation showing income for all household members over the age of 21, for the 4 weeks prior to the application date.
- If you are currently employed, please provide your paystubs with your name and the date for the past four weeks.
- If you receive income from benefits such as social security or a pension, please submit your most current documents showing your income for the past 4 weeks or as recent as possible.
- If you have a current award letter for the CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please submit your household’s most recent approval letter to qualify.
- Adults without income documentation for the past 4 weeks may attest that by downloading the corresponding Operation Fuel form and including it with your online application:
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- Zero Income form (currently no income)
- Friends and Family form (if receiving financial support from friends and family)
- Self Employment form (if self-employed or working without formal paystubs)
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CT 2024-2025 Income Guidelines
(Please visit 211 for more information)
Apply in Person
Operation Fuel partners with Fuel Banks across the state of Connecticut who proivde in-person applications support during energy assistance program seasons. To find a Fuel Bank near you, call 2-1-1 or click the button below to locate a Fuel Bank by zip code.
Are you a Fuel Bank or Vendor?
Get in Touch!
Please email applications@operationfuel.org with questions.
Operation Fuel team members are available by phone at (860) 243-2345 during support hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm.