Any household whose gross income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level (PDF:25KB) is generally eligible for assistance.

If any household member receives cash assistance from the Department of Social Services (DSS) -- for example, Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), Aid to Families with Dependent Children, State Supplement to the Aged, Blind and Disabled, or the DSS Refugee Program – the entire family will be considered income eligible for CEAP. (If the total annual household income exceeds 150% of poverty, the household will be considered eligible for the benefit amount at 150% of the poverty level.)

There are some exceptions. For example, homeowners with liquid assets of more than $10,000 and all other households with liquid assets of more than $7,000 are generally ineligible.

Households with income between 150% and 200% of federal poverty levels with a member who is disabled, or at least 60 years old, may also qualify and be eligible for CEAP. For more information, call the DSS toll-free ENERGY HOTLINE at 1-800-842-1132.