New Connecticut Program Offers Summer Fuel to Needy

HARTFORD ‘ Operation Fuel, known for helping needy families get home heating oil and pay overdue utility bills, has opened its summer energy assistance program.

The program is designed to help lower-income families, the elderly and the disabled who aren’t eligible for government-funded programs catch up on their winter utility bills and avoid shut-offs.

“More people die in the summer from heat-related issues than in the winter,” said Pat Wrice, the group’s executive director.

Wrice said the agency began offering a summer assistance program about six years ago and has seen demand grow. Last year, she said,

Operation Fuel provided more than $576,000 in grants to about 1,100 households.

This year, the agency has set aside $1 million and is hopeful that it will be enough to meet needs until the winter shut-off moratorium begins Nov. 1. The moratorium prevents utilities from cutting power to those who fall behind payments.

Read more about the expanded program at the Hartford Courant.