FUEL ASSISTANCE: (closed as of March 18, 2024)
ELECTRICAL DISCONNECTION ASSISTANCE: April 9 - June 27
In the 2022-23 heating season, AIO Energy Assistance helped 475 households with heating fuel assistance. For the 2023-24 heating season, we are expecting even more households will seek assistance. Our resources are limited to funds received through grants, municipal donations, and individual donations. This year, we have approximately $180,000 to help provide heating assistance. In order to provide meaningful assistance and to help as many households as we can we have set our assistance limitation to $300 per household. We will provide $300 for up to 600 Knox County households in 2023-24. In the event we are able to receive additional funding for our Energy Assistance program, we will open a “second gift” round for additional assistance in February or March, 2024.
Things You Should Know About AIO Energy Assistance
You must live in Knox County and have a current AIO membership to be eligible for fuel assistance.
Enrollment is based on income eligibility as shown below.
If you are eligible, AIO will deposit $300 into your fuel company account. This is a once-per-year assistance, unless additional funds are obtained by AIO to extend Energy Assistance.
You will be responsible for placing your fuel delivery order in accordance with your fuel company delivery requirements. You may need to buy additional gallons to meet your fuel company minimum delivery requirements.
We do not provide emergency fuel assistance if you run out of fuel. Please winterize and conserve fuel to the best of your ability.
Once enrolled, you can shop in our food pantry market as often as once a week.
We encourage you to visit our food pantry market to save money on groceries that can be used to help keep your fuel tank full!
Income Eligibility
AIO enrollment eligibility is aligned with the State of Maine TEFAP Income Guidelines, which is 185% of Maine Poverty Guidelines. Eligibility is based on your household income and number of people in your household. Please see the table below to determine your eligibility. For more information regarding Maine TEFAP Income Guidelines, please visit www.maine.gov
If your household income is less than the amount shown for the number of people in your household in the following table, you are eligible for AIO enrollment and all available programs. Knox County residents only.
| Household Size | Annual | Month | Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,861 | $2,322 | $536 |
| 2 | $37,814 | $3,151 | $727 |
| 3 | $47,767 | $3,981 | $919 |
| 4 | $57,720 | $4,810 | $1,110 |
| 5 | $67,673 | $5,639 | $1,301 |
| 6 | $77,626 | $6,469 | $1,493 |
| 7 | $87,579 | $7,298 | $1,684 |
| 8 | $97,532 | $8,128 | $1,876 |
How AIO Heating Fuel Assistance Works…
Heating Fuel Assistance: Closed for the season as of March 18, 2024
Complete the AIO Enrollment form for this year.
AIO membership is an annual process.
Complete the AIO Fuel Assistance form.
If you have not completed the AIO Enrollment process or updated your enrollment this year, your Fuel Assistance application will not be approved.
You will receive an email (fastest) or a phone call (a bit slower) confirming the status of your application. If approved, we will deposit $300 into your fuel company account.
If approved, you will have to call your fuel company yourself to schedule your delivery time.
If you are unable to complete the online application, hard copies are available at AIO during regular market hours. Energy Assistance Volunteers will not be available to assist in filling out the forms, however, you will be welcome to complete the form and leave it to be reviewed by an Energy Assistance team member. Reviews take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You will be contacted by an Energy Assistance team member as quickly as possible regarding the status of your application.
AIO does not have a live person answering phones every day. Most calls go directly to our voicemail for you to leave a message. Energy Assistance messages may not be heard the same day they are received. We do have a volunteer answering the Energy Assistance line Tuesdays and Thursdays during program seasons from 10am-12pm. Fuel assistance messages left outside of these times will be returned the following Tuesday or Thursday. We will do our very best to get back to you as soon as possible.
Second Best Option… Complete A Paper Form Application In Person At AIO Office
Third Best Option… Call AIO And Leave A Message
How AIO Electrical Disconnect Assistance Works
Electricity Assistance: April 9 - June 27
Each household can receive 2 gifts in combined energy (fuel and electricity) assistance from AIO between October 2, 2023, and June 27, 2024, unless extra funding allows for a second fuel gift during the fuel assistance season.
Electricity Disconnection Assistance is limited to one gift per household per program season.
Eligibility:
1) You have a DISCONNECTION NOTICE or your electricity has been disconnected by your power company.
2) You have already contacted your power company and don’t qualify for their repayment assistance programs.
3) You meet income eligibility guidelines as shown above.
4) You have an updated membership with AIO. If you have not yet enrolled or updated your membership this year with AIO, please complete your AIO enrollment before filling out the Electricity Disconnection Assistance form below. AIO membership form can be found here.
The fastest way to receive assistance is to apply online…
If you meet the eligibility requirements, please complete the following form. Be sure to provide the accurate account number, total balance due, and disconnection date (from the disconnection notice). We will contact you with questions or to notify you of assistance given via the email or phone number you provide.
Electrical Disconnection Assistance is available ONLY from April 9 thru June 27 while funds are available.
If you cannot complete the application online and prefer to speak to an AIO Energy Assistance volunteer, please call 207-596-1043, and leave a callback message on the Energy Assistance voicemail. Calls are returned on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10am and 12pm.
Additional Resources
Your Town's General Assistance Program - Visit your town's website or office for more information about applying for General Assistance funds. You may reapply every 30 days.
CMP - The Arrears Management Program (AMP) offers qualified low-income customers help in reducing their past-due balance. See our AMP fact sheet for more information. You can find the State of Maine Arrears Management Program application form here.
CMP - The Electricity Lifeline Program - (ELP) offers you help with your electricity bill. You may be eligible to receive a benefit based on household income and estimated electricity usage. More information here
Penquis - Penquis may be able to help with your electricity bill if you have received heating assistance from them or have an appointment for it. Click HERE to contact Penquis.