Operation Fuel temporarily ceases acceptance of applications

Operation Fuel announced Monday that it has temporarily stopped taking applications for energy assistance but will resume accepting them on April 29.

Executive Director Patricia Wrice said the need for energy assistance exceeded Operation Fuel’s funds this winter. The non-profit has given out more than $2.5 million in winter energy assistance while giving out about $500,000 this past summer for a total of nearly $3 million since July 1. Operation Fuel, Connecticut’s only statewide emergency energy assistance program, stopped taking applications for winter energy assistance on Friday.

“We are extremely grateful for all of the individual and corporate donations that Operation Fuel has received, along with a grant from the state of Connecticut,” said Wrice.

Operation Fuel will run a limited energy assistance program this spring for qualified households that face losing their electricity or gas service when the state utilities’ Winter Protection program ends on May 1. Households must meet eligibility criteria and not have received energy assistance from Operation Fuel this fiscal year. Operation Fuel will begin taking applications from qualified households on April 29 and will continue through June 30 or until funds run out. The maximum annual grant is $500 per household.

Operation Fuel is a private, nonprofit program that provides emergency energy assistance through its statewide network of more than 100 fuel banks to lower-income working families, the elderly and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis and not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs. It works in partnership with businesses, communities, government and individuals to ensure that Connecticut households have access year-round to critically needed energy assistance.

Donations can be sent to: Operation Fuel, One Regency Drive, Suite 200, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or made at: www.operationfuel.org.