Technical problems delay start of New Hampshire's fuel assistance program
Agency has problems getting letters to clients, vendors
Agency has problems getting letters to clients, vendors
Agency has problems getting letters to clients, vendors
Dec. 1 is normally the start of the fuel assistance program in New Hampshire, but not this year.
The administrator of the program said Wednesday that a technical issue has delayed the letters that get the program rolling.
"We usually get a lot of calls the first day, regardless," said Beth Heyward, of the Belknap-Merrimack Counties CAP Agency. "The calls are just a little different today than what they would be in the past."
That's because the state's fuel assistance program is about two weeks behind in getting letters out to clients to confirm their benefits and to fuel vendors to notify them about the benefits to those clients.
"Technology is great when it works, but when it doesn't, you have to wait for it," said Eileen Smiglowski, administrator of the fuel assistance program for the state Department of Energy. "Unfortunately, the last thing we wanted to do would be to send out incorrect benefit letters."
Smiglowski said the system has had issues recalculating the 60% increase in benefits made a few weeks ago in light of rising fuel prices.
"Unfortunately, until we get that benefit letter out the door and into the hands of the vendor, we're a little bit hamstrung as far as being able to get the delivery made," she said.
Until then, if someone needs an emergency delivery, she said local community action programs will work with them on a case-by-case basis.
"We've already had those calls last week, saying, 'Hey, I know the program's not open, but I have no oil, no propane. What do I do?'" Heyward said.
The state received about $25 million for the season that runs through April 30.
"No one should be concerned, thinking, 'Gee, I haven't applied yet,' or, 'I haven't heard anything. We're starting a little late. Maybe there won't be any money left,'" Smiglowski said. "I don't want anyone in the state to be concerned about that."
Officials said people are encouraged to apply if they believe they need help. Even if they don't qualify for the fuel assistance program, there might be other programs that could help.
Smiglowski said she hopes to be able to send the letters by the end of this week.