By Crystal Baldwin
Heat is a precious commodity. This was an easy lesson to learn when growing up in Vermont. At my house, once the thermostat was set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, when the front door opened, you’d hear my dad call down the hall, “Close the door, you’re letting all the heat out!” Much of the time, the door would have long been closed. But, that did not keep the puff of cold air that entered from lingering.
The cost of heat motivated my dad to be conscious about conserving it. My siblings and I did our best to do just that. We learned to bundle up in sweaters and long underwear to keep the chill off. There were never too many blankets at bedtime. I am thankful that I never felt too cold or too uncomfortable from the cold—except maybe when shoveling during a Nor’easter. This winter, my personal hope is that every Vermonter will be warm and will know how to gain access to heat.
Heating fuel can be expensive. Fuel pricing, outside of pre-buy or fixed price contract, is not regulated in Vermont. People often turn back the dial on their thermostats to preserve fuel to forgo the added expense. The CAP hotline has heard stories of families in need of fuel, living on low to no heat in the middle of winter.
If you or someone you know is having trouble affording heat this winter, I encourage you to seek out programs that can assist:
• Vermont’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program known as Fuel Assistance, can help those who qualify for the program. We encourage people who need help paying for heating costs to seek out Vermont Fuel Assistance. Vermonters can call 1-800-479-6151 to request an application, go online to apply, or visit their local Department of Children and Families. Make sure to start the application process before the upcoming heating season.
• Don’t qualify for fuel assistance? Your Community Action Agency may have a supplemental program that might be able to help.
• Have a back balance on your account? Check with your fuel dealer about payment plan options.
• The United Ways of Vermont information and referral hotline, 2-1-1 can connect you to additional regional resources.
Know someone who could use extra support? Consider nominating someone for the Split the Ticket Fund. If you are able, consider donating to Split the Ticket to support your neighbors in need. Can’t afford a donation? Perform wellness checks on people you know who you suspect may be keeping the dial back or encourage them to contact our office for additional resources.
If you would like more information, watch the following video. The Consumer Assistance Program’s Assistant Director, Lisa Jensen, was recently on Across the Fence with the Director of Chittenden Community Action, Travis Poulin, discussing this important topic.
May you and yours be warm this winter. If you find that you are not warm, please seek out the assistance outlined above. If you are warm this winter, consider spreading warmth by checking in on neighbors with a wave or a phone call, or consider a gift of warmth to support a heating assistance program. You’ll be glad you did.