New Heating Assistance Program – Apply by April 10

Scarborough Partners with Project GRACE on New Heating Assistance Program

A new heating assistance fund called Keeping Cumberland County Warm is available to income eligible Scarborough residents. This one-time grant program is federally funded and allocates $50,000 for each municipality in Cumberland County. Scarborough nonprofit Project GRACE is supporting the grant program administration in Scarborough by facilitating the application process. The Town of Scarborough will oversee administration of the program and compliance with Cumberland County KCCW grant parameters. The application period is open from now through April 10.

According to the Cumberland County government office, program eligibility requires you to be a resident of Cumberland County, Maine and be in need of financial assistance with home energy costs. Funding specifically supports heating assistance for oil, wood, wood pellets, Kerosene, and propane (further specifications for electric or natural gas heating assistance). To be eligible, gross (before taxes) annual household income levels must be within the following income guidelines:

Please be aware that this program is intended to help moderate income county residents who are not eligible for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The eligibility minimums are above the income limits for heating assistance from Scarborough General Assistance and LIHEAP heating assistance.

The Town of Scarborough is grateful to have an organization like Project GRACE in our community, which already plays an active role in helping neighbors with heating assistance, to support this process. “Project GRACE is the ideal partner for facilitating the Keeping Cumberland County Warm application process in Scarborough,” says Assistant Town Manager Liam Gallagher. “They are well known in the community and are equipped with the resources to help residents navigate what heating and fuel assistance is available to them.”

While Project GRACE supports the Town of Scarborough through this government program, their organization is also currently fundraising for its local “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Winter Fuel Rally. They rely on generous support from the community for their fuel fund. This new county program does not replace the funds needed to help our neighbors keep their homes warm.

To learn more about the Keeping Cumberland County Warm eligibility requirements and application process, go to www.projectgracemaine.org and click on the button on the homepage. A downloadable application is available on their website, or pick up a paper application at Town Hall or Scarborough Public Library. Project GRACE is also available to initiate an application over the phone; call (207) 883-5111 or in person at scheduled dates at the Scarborough Public Library (see Project GRACE website for dates). Applicants will be required to provide proof of income for the whole household (ex. Income tax form, pay stubs, etc.). Completed applications and supporting documents can be left at Town Hall 24/7 by using the after-hours dropbox outside of the entrance, or they can be mailed to Project GRACE at PO Box 6846, Scarborough, ME 04070, or brought to one of the scheduled dates at the library:

Project GRACE will be at the library to take applications on:
Monday, February 6th at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Monday, February 13th at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday, February 15th at 5:00pm - 6:30pm

More dates as will be posted on the Project GRACE website.

The Town of Scarborough and Project GRACE are both grateful for the opportunity to partner with the County to ease the burden for our neighbors this winter.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

Learn more about the fund: Keeping Cumberland County Warm Program (Cumberland County Website)