Energy assistance does not pay the full cost of a family's home heating. The program assists those families who would otherwise be unable to pay the cost of their home heating. Maximum payments for the lowest income households are approximately 70 percent of the entire heating cost.

No household is automatically eligible. All households must apply, showing proof of income and home heating costs. To be eligible, a household's total gross income may not exceed maximum income guidelines and the household must be responsible for paying home heating costs. Energy assistance payments will be made to energy suppliers.

Energy assistance money will be distributed on a first-come basis. Applicant eligibility and assistance amount are calculated according to household size, income, type and cost of heating and geographical location of household.