A Comprehensive Guide to Joe for oil
With rising costs of heating oil, not every household can afford to provide a safe and warm environment for their families. These households need help with their heating needs - or at least a more affordable alternative. Joe for oil was one such program.
For the states that participated, there was a program helping those less fortunate by providing free heating oil in the form of a voucher.
The no-cost 100 gallons of heating oil not only helped keep families warm, it allowed them to use the money on food and housing instead of heating costs.
The Joe for Oil Heat Program has been on hiatus since 2014. Here is more on the initiative - how it worked, theories on why it is no longer active, and alternative options for those who need help with heating costs.
Since 2005, the Joe for Oil Heat Program, part of the Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program, has provided 100 gallons of free heating oil to qualifying households in multiple states and the District of Columbia.
This program helped low-income families or those in financial need who could not afford the high cost of heating oil. The program included a voucher for a free, one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil each season. According to the CITGO-Venezuela Heating Oil Program:
The program assists low-income families often forced to choose between heating their homes, buying groceries, or filling a prescription. In October 2010, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced that households heating primarily with heating oil are expected to spend an average of $2,124 this winter season, an increase of $218 over the previous winter.
The program was in effect from 2005 to 2014, and was set into place in response to a decrease in oil supply due to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
A Controversial Approach
The Joe for oil Heating Program was not without its controversy. Created by former Rep. Joe Kennedy, some critics have stated that it is publicity paid for by Citgo, and allows a Venezuelan dictator to polish up his image.
Yet, according to Kennedy who started Citizen's Energy back in 1979, U.S. oil companies only contribute a minute amount into finding alternative energy sources and funding for the poor. This is very little when compared to what they make in profits. Kennedy feels that before the critics judge his acceptance of the oil from Venezuela, they should look at the fact that crude oil is used for cars, airplanes, and more and if it is good enough for those needs, it should be good enough to help the poor when they need it.
And while the relationship between Venezuela and the United States were less than ideal due to human rights issues as a main component, the heating oil program was one of the positive threads that helped tie the two countries together in a more unified manner. According to NPQ (Non-Profit Quarterly):
In October 2016, the Guardian reported that Venezuela had “the world’s fastest contracting economy, the second highest murder rate, inflation heading towards 1,000 percent and shortages of food and medicine that have pushed the poorest members of its 30 million population to the edge of a humanitarian abyss."
This is one of the reasons that the initiative many have ceased since Venezuela's oil surplus is its only source of income. It is now the country that needs aid instead.
Who Qualified and Where Was It Available?
The qualifications for the Joe for oil Heat Program were straightforward. The program application could not be completed online so interested parties had to call a phone number to apply. After calling the phone number for the program, the operator for the program would gather preliminary information and a Verification of Income was sent to the applicant's home to complete and return. Once the applicant filled out the Verification of Income and returned it, the applicant was qualified or disqualified. If qualified, a voucher for heating oil was sent to their home. The customer must then have contacted an approved dealer and have a delivery scheduled. Customers did not have to prove citizenship or immigration status.This program was not intended to be for home oil emergencies since the process took four to five weeks for approval.
Participating States
There were many states that were available to use the Joe for oil Heating Program, typically those in the Northeast, Midwest, and Northwestern part of the country.These are a few of the states that benefited from the heating program:
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Alaska
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Indiana
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Maine
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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New York
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Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
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Vermont
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Virginia
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Washington DC
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Wisconsin
The statistics from the Citgo-Venezuela Heating Oil Program state that it served 25 states and the District of Columbia. From 2005 until its suspension in 2014, there were almost 2 million people helped with free vouchers.In this same period, there were over 235 gallons of heating oil used in the program, going out to 145K single family households, over 260 tribal communities, and over 240 homeless shelters.
Why is the Joe for oil Heat Program Inactive?
There are a few theories on why the heating program is no longer active now, but according to CBS Boston:
Amid continuing economic turmoil, Venezuela skipped heating oil contributions to a Massachusetts-based nonprofit for a second consecutive winter, signaling that the popular program that began with fanfare after Hurricane Katrina may be kaput.The decision by Venezuela’s Citgo Petroleum Corp. to bow out of the program founded by Joseph P. Kennedy II, which has helped hundreds of thousands of U.S. residents, coincides with plummeting oil prices and corresponding economic problems in oil-rich Venezuela.
While it seems that the program is on a permanent hiatus, in 2009 the Joe for oil Heat Program was halted, only to return a few months later - so it is possible that it may be reinstated at some point. But, while Venezuela has the largest oil reserves globally, there has been damage done with declining prices and a combination of economic unrest in the country. It is not possible to know if this is a program that will return. In fact, Venezuela excused itself on its low-cost heating oil contributions for the second consecutive winter since 2014.There are other programs that Citizen's Energy operates such as energy grants for homeless shelters, solar, wind and transmission projects that provide assistance including solar panels for low-income homes, and natural gas subsidies for low-income households.
Alternatives to the Joe for oil Heat Program
With the Joe 4 Oil Heat Program no longer being available, there are alternatives.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
One such program is LIHEAP which stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.This program provides help to low-income families with the costs associated with energy emergencies, weatherization or home repairs related to energy (minor repairs only), and home energy bills. In the state of Massachusetts, if you qualify for LIHEAP, then you may also qualify for help paying your utility bills from a local fuel supply office by meeting one of the following criteria:
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Food Stamps (SNAP)
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Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
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MassVeterans Benefits
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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Refugee Resettlement Benefits
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Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
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Commonwealth Care Plan, Types 1, 2 or 2A
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Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for Surviving Spouse or Parents of Veterans
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Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC)
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Health Safety Net Plan – Primary or Secondary
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MassHealth Basic or Standard
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Improved Veterans Disability Pension
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Commonwealth Care Plan, Types 1, 2 or 2A
A Company That Combines Delivery
Another alternative is heating oil delivery that is grouped together for the lowest price possible such as found at Slick Energy. With this type of program, orders of heating oil is grouped with others in the area so that the price is lower for all concerned.This is an excellent alternative if you do not qualify for low income assistance from other avenues through state or federal means. Some people are not able to get aid yet still have problems paying for their heating oil. A lower cost alternative is a good start in being able to afford it.
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund
For those who are unable to afford their heating bills or are having an economic crisis, there is another program in Massachusetts that helps residents. The Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to apply for at the Salvation Army. In the past, the aid was approximately $275 per household and there is certain criteria that much be met. For instance, you cannot be eligible for Federal or State energy assistance, you must be a resident of Massachusetts, and your gross household income must fall between 60 and 80 percent of the state's median income levels. For example, a two person household would have to earn less than $44,958 - $59,944 in total yearly income.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
This program helps in making homes more energy efficient for those who are eligible low-income households. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is typically available for those who also qualify for LIHEAP and is funded by the US Department of Energy. Arrearage Management Programs Massachusetts natural gas and electric utility providers can work with you to establish a structured payment plan. In some cases, you may be forgiven for past due balances depending on the amount and if payments are made according to schedule. To apply, contact your gas or electric utility provider.Another possibility in saving when contacting your power provider is to inquire about utility discounts which have discounts ranging from 25-35 percent on each bill.
MassSave
With this program, you will be provided installation of energy savings products. These products may include energy evaluations and weatherization upgrades such as adding insulation or sealing drafts - if you qualify. This is through participating Mass Save natural gas utilities and electric.
Heating System Repair & Replacement Program (HEARTWAP)
This program is not for heating oil but is to help those with low income be able to repair or replace their heating system. Heating System Repair & Replacement Program (HEARTWAP) is another program that is available to those who qualify for the LIHEAP program. This program works to provide repair or replacement to unsafe, defective, or broken heating systems during times of an emergency. Yet if funds permit, maintenance work during the off-season is a possibility if funds allow.
Local Towns and Non-Profit Agencies
Local towns and non-profit agencies are another avenue to check into if you have the need for help with heating costs.In Massachusetts, there are local town programs such as Arlington Heating Assistance Program, Taunton Emergency Task Force Fuel Fund, Everett Human Services, Wayland Community Fund, and more.
Non-Profit Agencies
For Non-Profit agencies, there are venues such as Lower Cape Outreach Council, Catholic Social Services, Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, and Friends of Grafton Elders - to name a few.
There is Help When You Need It
While the Joe for oil Heating was a good program that helped many families have a warm winter, there are other programs that you can take advantage of. If you cannot afford to heat your home or need repairs or replacement heating systems - Keep in mind that many places offer Utility Shut-Off Protection. That means that you have to qualify for financial hardship. Also, at least have one of the following: a child under the age of 12 months, a household with members all over the age of 65, members all over 65 with one minor child, or someone in the household is seriously ill. If your household qualifies, your utilities cannot be shut off even for non-payment and in Massachusetts. There is a winter moratorium where utilities cannot be shut for any reason from November 15 to March 15.
It won't be certain if Joe for Oil plans to return until there is an update on their website or new ads are ran. And with Venezuela's growing economic disaster, it is a good possibility that the program has run its course.