Sussex County One Ease E-Link Collaborative

1. The program year is November 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008. Applications are available on-line at www.energyassistance.nj.gov Applications are also available at our office in Franklin. Please contact Carol Millar 1.973.383.6020 or 1.973.209.7549.

2. 2408 Sussex County applications have been received as of 11/16/07.

3. The first energy benefit disbursement from the State is scheduled for the week of December 17^th. Historically, this “check run” is for the DFD/automatically eligible Food Stamp households. We anticipate the average oil heating benefit will be $474.00.

4. The next disbursement is scheduled for the week of January 14^th. The State is only issuing energy benefits once a month.

5. Emergency heating assistance for fossil fuels (oil, kerosene, wood, coal) will not be available until after the initial benefit run. We anticipate that State authorization will be granted sometime after January 1^st. Last year it was authorized a week before the second scheduled disbursement. Local fuel vendors are holding to a standard 150 gal minimum delivery. Three vendors are requiring a 200 gal minimum delivery. With the per gal price hovering around $3.00, the delivery will exceed the $400 maximum for system reimbursement. Households will still be eligible for up to $800 in emergency benefits, but the State’s payment system will not approve an emergency benefit greater than $400. The balance due must be carried as an additional expense.

6. The State will continue to send “Reminder Notices” to households about completing and submitting an application before the deadline. Households, who have already submitted an application, will continue to receive notices until the State’s data base cross-references with the energy benefits disbursement records. As you can imagine this will cause some confusion and frustration with the participants.

7. Households are receiving “Denial Notices” because of incomplete applications or in the case of DFD Food Stamp households because of inaccuracies with household information, mailing addresses, and utility account information. All data fields must be completed or the State’s system will deny an energy benefit.

8. Historical reference: In 1987 the average energy benefit for electric was $522.00; it is now $711.00. In 1987 the oil benefit was $492.00; it is now $474.00. The benefit for the “other” category in 1978 was $322.00; it is now $263.00.

9. The funding level for the 2007-2008 Home Energy Assistance Program has not been determined. The program is currently working under a “continuing resolution” authorization from Congress. President Bush has vetoed the appropriations bills funding HHS, Education, and Labor. Congress is working with the OMB to resolve the budget impasse.

10. We anticipate expenditures for home heating oil will be 40% higher than last year. Households should anticipate paying close to $2,000.00 for heating oil this year if prices spike over $3.00 a gallon. In 2005 the average retail oil price was $1.48 @ gallon. This heating season DOE is anticipating the per gallon price will max at $3.48.

jd