Fuel Assistance

The Yarmouth Fuel Assistance Fund was established and is continued through the generous donations of Yarmouth residents and businesses and is administered through the Freeport / Yarmouth Regional General Assistance Office. Assistance is available to moderate-income to low-income households, with particular attention to those households not qualifying for other fuel assistance programs but still in need of assistance (for example households receiving unemployment benefits, households relying on minimum wage incomes, etc). For each new heating season, applicants are eligible for 100 gallons of heating fuel, with exceptions being made in emergency situations.

Yarmouth residents should contact the Freeport/Yarmouth Regional General Assistance Office to schedule an appointment or obtain an application: 865-4743 x120.

In a life-threatening or health-threatening emergency or after hours, contact the Yarmouth Police Department at 207-846-3333.

Maine LIHEAP (Low-Income Home-Energy Assistance Program)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. LIHEAP provides help with home-energy costs including fuel assistance, emergency fuel, home weatherization and energy-related repairs, and eligibility screening for other assistance programs.

To apply for LIHEAP, Yarmouth residents should call the People’s Regional Opportunity Program (PROP) at 207-553-5931 to schedule an appointment.

Important to know:

  • An application for LIHEAP benefits usually takes several months to process.
  • Applicants must apply each new heating season.
  • Benefits are generally issued only in November.
  • LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
  • Apply early to maximize your chances of getting help before funds run out.

Click here for more information about Maine LIHEAP.

Other Federal Programs Requiring LIHEAP Eligibility

Additionally, the Home Energy Loan Program provides low-interest rate loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners to finance improvements to make their homes more energy efficient.

General Assistance Program

General Assistance funds are available in each Maine municipality to help people who do not have enough money for basic needs including rent/mortgage, food, heating fuel, non-elective medical needs, and other essential services.

The General Assistance Program is regulated by state law, which sets an overall maximum level of assistance that a household can receive.

To be eligible for General Assistance funds, both of these statements must be true:

  • Your income falls below the overall maximum level of assistance for a household your size, and
  • Your income is less than the amount you need to pay for basic necessities, based on established guidelines.

Food, housing, utilities, personal care, and household supplies maximum levels are based on size of household.

Heating fuel maximum levels vary by time of year.

To apply for General Assistance, Yarmouth residents should contact the Freeport / Yarmouth Regional General Assistance Office at 207-865-4743 x120 to schedule an appointment.

In a life-threatening or health-threatening emergency or after hours, contact the Yarmouth Police Department at 207-846-3333.

If you are physically unable to come to the office, arrangements can be made to process a phone application or conduct a home visit or perhaps arrange with you for your relative or another representative you authorize to apply for you.

A written decision as to eligibility will be made within 24 hours after an application is made, and assistance can be provided immediately in the event of an emergency. If sufficient information has not been furnished to determine eligibility, however, the application will be considered incomplete and the applicant will be found ineligible for any assistance until adequate information is provided.

Citizens Energy – CITGO Oil Heat Program (Joe 4 Oil)

In the past, this program provided a one-time delivery of up to 100 gallons of heating oil to eligible households; however, availability of benefits through this program has varied.

To find out if applications are being accepted, call 1-877-563-4645 or visit the program’s website.

Fuel Assistance from Local Churches

A number of area churches serving Yarmouth, Freeport, Cumberland, and Pownal offer fuel assistance. Please contact area churches to learn what they might offer.