There are no conditions that need to be met in order to contribute. Anyone can do it, and 100% of the donation goes to paying utility bills and not to “overhead” costs. However the application process is much different. There are many criteria that need to be met in order to get assistance from Connecticut Natural Gas Operation Fuel, which may include but are not limited to the following.
-Bring identification, including driver's license, social security cards and ID for all household members, including kids.
-Proof of income, including from a job, government benefits such as LIHEAP, SSI, and other sources.
-The Connecticut Natural Gas customer must have been timely on paying their utility bills in the past.
-The need for funds from Operation Fuel must be to a short term emergency and not do to mid-long term poverty.
-The program tends to help seniors, the sick, and less fortunate with a medical condition or some other one time hardship.
Every single applicant should keep in mind that any money provided for paying utility bills from Connecticut Natural Gas Operation Fuel is at the discretion of the administering agencies. It does not operate under the same rules and guidelines as LIHEAP, as Operation Fuel is a donation service. The agencies that approve applications and disburse funds to lower income families take their job seriously, and only the most deserving get help due to limited funds. No one is entitled to receive utility assistance.
The donations to keep the program up and running come from many sources. There are customers that round up their monthly bill each month, and that incremental amount is given to the program. Some people make one time contributions to Operation Fuel, and there are even occasional fund raisers held in Connecticut to raise money for it. This may be everything from a bake sale held to walk-a-thon and much more. Contributions come from many sources.
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On an annual basis, Connecticut Natural Gas will often also match these donations. This will depend on management agreeing to it, but it happens in most years. This is just one way in how the company has decided to give back to the community as well. In some years this may amount to tens of thousands of dollars being contributed in an effort to help keep the electricity on for people in a crisis.
Anyone that does receive energy bill assistance as a result of Operation Fuel should use this extra time in which their electric or heat may be kept on to get some financial stability in their life. The funds issued will be minimal, but it can take a difference in having a disconnection or not. So clients should used this time (which is the result of generous donations from others), to get back on track with paying their utility bills. Maybe they can apply for LIHEAP, get another job, or take other steps to get assistance.
For more information on how to Round Up or donate to Connecticut Natural Gas Operation Fuel, or to learn how to apply for assistance, call the company at 860-727-3034. They will go over the terms and conditions that are in place.