DCP endeavors to get HEAP applications processed before MaineHousing’s March 1 deadline

Fri, Feb 16th, 2024

by DCP Staff

Downeast Community Partners (DCP) is working to get as many Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) applications processed as possible for households with intake appointments in advance of the March 1 deadline for new applications MaineHousing recently announced.

MaineHousing’s explanation of the reasoning behind this deadline states, in part, “The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a program that provides a fixed amount of funding to Maine each year from the federal government. Based on the most current projections, we will not be able to guarantee payment for processed applications taken after 5:00PM on March 1, 2024. HEAP has now used over 75% of the funds available and has additional applications in the pipeline that we expect will use the remaining funds.  We will make every effort to provide assistance to eligible applicants who submit a completed application by the deadline but cannot guarantee that assistance will be available.”

DCP will continue to accept HEAP applications after the March 1 deadline, but these applications will not move immediately to MaineHousing for HEAP payment processing. Rather, these applications will be held on a waitlist and processed through MaineHousing in order of the date received if funds are available, but assistance is not guaranteed.  Households completing the HEAP application process after the deadline may still be eligible for the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), Low Income Assistance Program (LIAP) or TANF Fuel Supplemental benefit.

Kelli Casey, DCP’s Manager of Energy Services, understanding the critical importance of heating assistance to our neighbors in Hancock and Washington counties, says, “We are doing all that we can to get people in prior to March 1, 2024. The task is large, but we will continue to strive for it.”