New Hampshire Fuel Funds

• Five of the six electric utilities and both of the gas utilities participate in Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a statewide fuel fund that is administered by community action agencies in coordination with LIHEAP. The fund operates year round and is a fund of "last resort," serving households after LIHEAP funds are exhausted. The fund totaled $240,053 in 2010.

  In 1994, New Hampshire passed legislation allowing utilities to place unclaimed utility deposits into the fuel fund. The measure allows the public utilities commission to certify that utilities are participating in a financial assistance program that assists low-income households with utility bills. Upon certification, the utility pays 85 percent of the unclaimed funds into the fuel fund program, which is also certified by the commission.

• One electric utility runs a separate program called Project Care which distributed approximately $27,000 to customers in 2010.
• Community donations provide funds for energy assistance

LEVERAGING (includes community and church donations)

2010: $593,811
2009: $818,959
2007: $803,357
2006: $778,930
2005: $574,995
2004: $591,102
2003: $284,566
2002: $349,798
2001: $500,410
2000: $225,044
1999: $278,869
1998: $193,224
1997: $151,527
1996: $208,235
1995: $178,398