The mission of the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund is to provide assistance to Rhode Islanders in temporary financial crisis who are not income eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Financial crisis includes the inability to pay for a deliverable fuel and/or electric or gas bill.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

1. The client cannot be eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at the local Community Action Program (CAP) Agency.

2. If a client does not qualify for LIHEAP, this does not guarantee that they are automatically eligible for GNEF. They must be able to demonstrate their financial crisis (i.e., loss of a job/reduction of hours, medical bills, divorce, domestic violence, death of family member, fire, car or home repairs, etc.). Mismanagement of funds is not a adequate excuse for not being able to pay a utility bill.

3. In addition to providing evidence of a financial crisis, the client must also: Provide copies of a picture ID, proof of income, proof of household members, and a current utility bill.

4. The client cannot live in subsidized housing.

5. The utility bill must be related to heat.

6. The client cannot receive assistance from more than one fund even if LIHEAP is helped with one utility bill and the client is requesting help for the other bill.

7. In cases involving restoration of terminated service or the avoidance thereof, grants should be given only to close out or accomplish restoration or avoidance.

GRANT AMOUNTS:

Oil

• 200 gallons or $700 - whichever comes first
• Subsequent year: 100 gallons or $350 - whichever comes first
• If a client's oil tank will not hold 200 gallons, two separate deliveries and two separate payments are required. Credit balances with the oil companies are not allowed.
• We will not pay back balances for clients with contracts or payments plans unless fuel is delivered to the home.

Gas/Electric

• $350 first year, $175 subsequent year

Propane

• One delivery up to 100 gallons, cost not to exceed $700 for first year, half that amount thereafter

Wood

• Up to 2 cords, cost not to exceed $500 for the first year, half that amount thereafter
• The grant is given to one household, one time per campaign year

The Fund can only accept vouchers that have current bills, invoices, or delivery slips attached (dated within the 30 days). GNEF will not pay for old accounts in collections or a restoration of service unless the client can provide documentation that they are making an effort to pay the old debt.