You must apply by April 28th, the application deadline. If you meet the income guidelines, then the program will help pay a portion of your household's primary energy bills through April, from $140 to $660. The $660 figure is for delivered fuel such as oil, propane, wood and coal. If you have non-delivered fuel, such as natural gas or electricity, you would be eligible for up to $505 in assistance.

For a single person, the income can range between $8,240 (eligible for a maximum of $660 for delivered fuel or $505 for undelivered fuel) to $14,420 (eligible for $180 for delivered fuel or $140 for undelivered fuel). Couples, whose incomes total $11,600 (eligible for $660 or $505 depending on the source) to $19,355 (eligible for $180 or $140 depending on the source), are covered by the program.

Known officially as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the fuel assistance program has been offering help for some 21 years. It is funded federally through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), in conjunction with 22 regional nonprofit and local government agencies, manages fuel assistance. For each community, there is an agency responsible to administer the program.

All persons residing in the household must declare their gross income to determine their eligibility. Those found eligible are automatically referred to local utility companies and Bell Atlantic for applicable low income discount rates.

In addition to fuel assistance, the Commonwealth continues to offer energy conservation and heating systems' repair/replacement programs.