Long Island Power donation utility assistance Project Warmth fund

One of the only emergency assistance programs for Long Island Power customers is the Project Warmth program. It is very limited in scope as it relies on donations and participation from the community, including the United Way of Long Island. This is targeted at people facing a crisis in the region.

Many individuals, nonprofit agencies, and other businesses community partners donate to the program. This resource is really Long Island’s only private, non-governmental emergency fuel fund. As indicated, the United Way administers it and the program can distribute one-time grants to pay heating bills, oil, and their critical energy costs. This is all done in partnership with the utility companies themselves.

Lower income and struggling Long Island families can apply for assistance from Project Warmth. As part of this process they will also receive information on other local government programs and local resources to help them address greater financial stability.

As indicated, almost all of the funding comes from donations from the community. Your contribution will be tax deductible. In order to donate to Project Warmth, Long Island families can make a contribution of any dollar amount to Project Warmth by adding an amount to their monthly bill or by calling the United Way. Many energy companies, such as Long Island Power, may also provide matching grants.

Numerous people in the community, and also the United Way of Long Island, need your help and contributions to keep the program going. It provides a critical safety-net and other services across the region to those customers facing a crisis. Your generous donations allow Project Warmth to stay open all winter and it will then be able to accommodate thousands of struggling and underserved Long Islanders each year.

On the other hand, if you want to apply to the program for help, then there are guidelines. In a typical years hundreds of local families (many with children) or seniors qualify for assistance. Many people who apply and qualify do not qualify for government assistance or have any other resources available to them are some of the main beneficiaries.

While funding levels will vary, Project Warmth may provide a one-time grant for fuel or heating oil plus an additional amount for fuel-related electricity. Money from the United Way and Project Warmth can be used to pay for any fuel source such as natural gas, oil, electric bills, propane, etc.

Only people from Nassau, the Rockaways or Suffolk County on Long Island can apply. They need to have demonstrated financial hardship or crisis. Proof is required, and they also need to provide an acceptable explanation for the arrears.