New Gloucester has joined the Keeping Cumberland County Warm program and has $50,000 in home heating assistance available for qualifying residents who own or rent.
At a recent Select Board meeting, Town Manager Bill Kerbin announced the town’s participation, calling it a “win-win” that will benefit residents with moderate incomes and requires no match from the town. The program offers “a definite benefit to New Gloucester residents this season due to the increases in fuel costs,” Kerbin told NGX. He said he appreciates this partnership with Cumberland County and looks forward to future partnerships going forward.
Keeping Cumberland County Warm is targeted to support families whose incomes are too high to qualify for LIHEAP fuel assistance or General Assistance but which fall under 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines:
| Family Size | Minimum Income | Maximum Income |
| 1 | $30,870 | $40,770 |
| 2 | $40,357 | $54,930 |
| 3 | $49,583 | $69,090 |
| 4 | $59,349 | $82,710 |
Eligible heating expenses include:
• Oil
• Wood
• Propane
• Natural Gas
• Electricity
• Kerosene
• Wood Pellets
An application verifying household size and income is required to participate. Awards are made on a first come, first served basis, Sandy Warren, Cumberland County Compliance and Audit Manager, told NGX.
To apply, contact Katie Wilcox, Community Services Resource Coordinator and General Assistance for the town of New Gloucester.
— Email Katie Wilcox at: katie.wilcox@opportunityalliance.org
— Phone: 207-553-5820
Apply soon. The Keeping Cumberland County Warm program will end April 15, 2023. Towns’ unspent funds will not roll over, program administrator Sandy Warren told NGX, but instead be returned for other County programming.
Funds come from the County’s allotment of federal American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) funds, enacted in response to Covid-19. The maximum grant for each participating municipality is $50,000.
Please help spread the word about this vital program to support New Gloucester neighbors. Learn more about Keeping Cumberland County Warm at this link.
— Joanne Cole
