Dear xxxxxx,

     I hope you are well. I wanted to provide you with some important updates regarding Connecticut’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) enrollment period. 

     As you may know, LIHEAP, administered by the Office of Community Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides funding to states to assist low- income households with offsetting their home energy costs. 

     In Connecticut, LIHEAP is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS) as the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). DSS, contracts with the state’s nine Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to administer CEAP, which serves Connecticut’s lower income households, specifically those whose income falls at or below 60 percent of the state median income.

     I have always supported robustly funding home heating assistance programs since joining Congress. When I served as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I consistently increased funding for LIHEAP, reaching $4 billion in 2023. Since then, I have continued to pushback on Republican attempts to cut this essential funding. Most recently, I secured $9.5 million in LIHEAP funding for Connecticut despite the Trump administration seeking to cut the program. Too many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. I will continue fighting for crucial home heating assistance and other programs that help to make life more affordable for working families. 

     Recent reporting found that home heating oil prices in Connecticut have risen over 86% in the last two years, reaching more than $5.60 per gallon. This increase is the result of President Trump’s war of choice in Iran, which has cost the United States, according to some estimates, at least $44 billion. His actions have spent valuable federal funds and resources and increased energy prices for working people. I condemn this war and have voted multiple times in support of a War Powers Resolution to end the conflict. Bringing costs down for working people is my priority. 

     I have held press events to denounce the war’s impact on Connecticut residents’ energy prices. In May, I joined local fuel assistance program leaders and advocates in Hamden to discuss the skyrocketing gas prices due to the war in Iran. I was grateful to hear these experts’ insights and share some ways democrats are fighting back against the Trump administration. You can listen to a clip from me following this event, here.

     A bill that I cosponsored, the Big Oil Windfall Profits Act, would help keep money in working people’s pockets during the cost-of-living crisis we are facing. This legislation would impose a windfall profits excise tax on crude oil to curb oil companies from making an excessive profit during President Trump’s War in Iran.

As it became clear how much heating oil prices are going to rise because of this ongoing war, I held another press conference during September in New Haven to inform people so they can prepare. The increased fighting that broke out in September was a backwards step from progress in commercial traffic flow over the summer. The Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping waterway off the coast of Iran, has seen a dramatic decline in shipping following the renewed tensions. Even worse, a drone attack recently damaged Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, a critical piece of global oil infrastructure. Slowed shipping and damaged infrastructure will only increase bills, groceries prices, and costs at the gas pump for everyday Americans. 

     Connecticut commuters have already paid an estimated $22 million more at the pump since July and now that same shock is coming for home heating oil bills. This war has done nothing but harm working people and endanger members of our military. I will continue to oppose this conflict. It must end. 

Connecticut Energy Assistant Program (CEAP) Portal Information

     Connecticut’s LIHEAP allocation for this year is $94 million. The state enrollment portal is now open. Ahead of this winter’s colder weather, I wanted to provide you with important information from Connecticut Social Services on applying and eligibility. 

     CEAP helps residents offset their home heating costs. Applications typically take 30-45 minutes to complete.

• Benefit amounts: $355-$705 for the 2026-2027 season, based on household size, income, and heating source.
• Payment process: Benefits are usually paid directly to your utility company or fuel vendor.
• Extra Help: Households using deliverable fuels (oil, kerosene, propane) may be eligible for additional fuel deliveries. CEAP recipients may also qualify for payment matching plans, shut-off protection, and heating equipment repairs or replacement.

     CEAP is an annual benefit, so you must apply each year to receive assistance.

• Online applications: Opened on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Apply through the CEAP online portal.
• In-person applications: Began on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
• Deadline: The last day that a household can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits is May 31, 2027.  Applications sent by mail must be postmarked by this date.

     Deliverable fuel heated households that apply after the authorization deadline may still submit paid invoices for fuel purchase between November 2 and April 1 for review under program eligibility.

Who is Eligible?

     Your household may be eligible for CEAP if each of you can answer YES to the following questions. As a reminder, your household includes every person who lives in your home (including your children, spouse, grandparents, roommates, etc.):

• Are you a Connecticut resident?
• Do you or anyone in your household meet one of the following eligibility criteria?
  • If you or any person in your household receives benefits from one of the following programs: SNAP, TFA, SSI, qualifying means-tested Veteran’s benefits, or other qualifying benefits from the Department of Social Services., or
  • If your income comes from Social Security, you must provide your Social Security award letter so that any applicable deductions can be considered when determining eligibility DSS cannot verify this information directly.
  • Your annual household income is at or below the income limit for your household size shown in the table below (60% of the State Median Income)  

• Do you have a Social Security Number? Almost every applicant is required to provide a Social Security Number for each member of their household. To check if you meet one of the exceptions, click CEAP Application Exception.

Community Action Agency (CAA) Information

     The towns in our district are served by the following Community Action Agencies: TEAM Inc, Community Renewal Team (CRT), Community Action Agency of New Haven (CAANH), and New Opportunities, Inc. (NOI), and Alliance for Community Empowerment (ALLIANCE). Find the Community Action Agency that oversees your town below

TEAM

• Ansonia
• Beacon Falls
• Bethany
• Derby
• Milford
• Orange
• Seymour
• Shelton
• Woodbridge

CRT

• Branford
• Durham
• Guilford
• Middlefield
• Middletown
• North Branford 

CAANH

• East Haven
• Hamden
• New Haven
• North Haven
• West Haven 

NOI

• Naugatuck
• Prospect
• Wallingford
• Waterbury

ALLIANCE

• Stratford 

     Please share this message with your friends and neighbors. We must work together to make sure Connecticut homes are warm this winter. I will continue fighting for your health and wellbeing. Please feel free to reach out to my New Haven office at 203-562-3718 if I can assist you.

     I also encourage you to visit www.delauro.house.gov for up-to-date information on my work in Congress. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for regular updates.

                                                                                               Sincerely,