Fuel and Electric Assistance Program / Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) / New Hampshire Electric Assistance Program (EAP)

How it works

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) administers fuel and electric assistance for households in Strafford County. The page covers two programs: the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also called the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP), and the New Hampshire Electric Assistance Program (EAP).

For Fuel Assistance, CAPSC says benefits are based on household size, income, energy costs, and housing type. Once approved, the fuel vendor you assigned receives your entire benefit amount directly within 45 days of enrollment. The page says you can use the benefit for deliveries made after October 1, and that the program helps eligible households with heating bills during the cold winter months.

For Electric Assistance, the page says eligible customers receive discounts on their monthly electric bills based on household income and size. The discount can help reduce energy costs, avoid late fees and deposits, and prevent service disconnections. The page also says benefits are offered as funds allow.

What the money covers

• Fuel Assistance covers heating bills and fuel deliveries from your assigned vendor.
• The page lists acceptable heating types as oil, kerosene, propane, electric, natural gas, and wood.
• Electric Assistance covers monthly electric bills with a discount percentage.
• The page does not describe any home-improvement or hardening work.

Amounts and matching

• Fuel Assistance: the page gives one average benefit figure for Strafford County families of $1,078.97 in 2025-2026.
• Electric Assistance: discounts range from 5% to 86% on monthly electric bills.
• No dollar cap, matching requirement, or reimbursement rate is stated.

How to apply

Applications can be submitted through CAPSC’s Client Services Office in Dover by appointment, online, or by mail. The page also says you can apply for one or both programs at the same time.

For Electric Assistance, the page mentions in-person or phone appointments for electric assistance only, as well as a print-and-send option. If you need an application mailed to you, the page says to email the agency.

Timing and deadlines

• Fuel Assistance season runs from December 1 to April 30.
• Priority applications open July 1 for households with at least one member who is age 60 or older, has a documented disability, has a child under age 6, or uses wood as the primary heating source.
• Beginning September 1, applications are accepted for all households and all heating types.
• April 30 is the last day to apply for Fuel Assistance.
• The page says processing can take up to 60 days, so applying early is encouraged.
• The page does not state a separate application deadline for Electric Assistance.