Every September, Maine and New Hampshire households start asking the same question: how much is heating going to cost this winter, and how do we pay for it? Between price swings, cold snaps, and the simple reality that heating oil and propane bills tend to land all at once, it pays to have a plan in place before the temperature drops. The good news is that homeowners have more than one option — from federal and state heating assistance to a budget payment plan through your fuel supplier — and September is exactly the right time to look into both.
Why September Is the Time to Plan Ahead
Heating assistance programs and budget plans both work best when you enroll early. Assistance programs often have limited funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis once applications open for the season, and budget plans spread your entire year of heating costs—including the months before winter even starts—into equal monthly payments. Waiting until your tank is empty and it's 20 degrees outside means missing out on both.
What Is LIHEAP/HEAP and Who Might Qualify
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — called the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in Maine — is a federally funded program administered locally by community action agencies. It's designed to help income-eligible households cover a portion of their winter heating costs, including heating oil, propane, kerosene, and other home heating fuels.
A few things to know:
- Eligibility is based on household size and income, and guidelines are set each program year, so it's worth checking current figures rather than relying on last year's numbers.
- Applications are typically taken through your local community action agency, not directly through your fuel company.
- In Maine, MaineHousing coordinates the HEAP program statewide; in New Hampshire, the Office of Strategic Initiatives administers LIHEAP through regional community action agencies.
- Funding can run out before the season ends, so applying as soon as the program opens gives you the best chance of receiving assistance
MaineHousing's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) page for current eligibility and application details.
New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives LIHEAP program page.
If you're not sure whether you qualify, it costs nothing to apply — many agencies will tell you quickly whether your household meets the income guidelines for the current program year.
How Fielding's Budget Plan Works
Separate from — and something you can use alongside — federal or state assistance, Fielding's offers a
Budget Plan: a payment plan that lets you evenly spread your heating costs over the course of the year instead of facing large, unpredictable bills during the coldest months. Rather than paying more in January and less in July, your estimated annual fuel cost is divided into consistent monthly payments, which makes it much easier to budget for.
A budget plan pairs especially well with Fielding's
Price Protection Program, which lets you lock in a rate for the season so you know what you're paying before the cold weather hits. Combining the two means you can walk into winter with a predictable monthly number instead of guessing what a delivery will cost.
price-protection-program---monthly-budget
Learn about Fielding's Price Protection & Budget Plan
Automatic Delivery Makes Budgeting Easier Too
One more piece worth mentioning: households on
Automatic Delivery tend to get the most out of a budget plan, since Fielding's tracks your usage and degree-days and schedules deliveries before you run low — no guessing, no surprise emergency calls, and no gaps in the smooth monthly payment cycle a budget plan is built around.
See how
Automatic Delivery works
Getting Started This Month
- Check your eligibility for HEAP/LIHEAP through your local community action agency or MaineHousing/NH OSI, and apply as soon as the current season's applications open.
- Call Fielding's to ask about enrolling in the Budget Plan and, if you'd like rate certainty, the Price Protection Program.
- Switch to Automatic Delivery if you haven't already, so your budget plan payments line up with automatic deliveries.
- Keep records of your account number and recent usage — most assistance applications ask for this information from your fuel supplier.
Contact Fielding's Oil & Propane
FAQ
Can I use HEAP/LIHEAP assistance and Fielding's Budget Plan at the same time?
Yes. Heating assistance is typically applied as a credit toward your account, while the Budget Plan simply spreads your remaining balance evenly across the year — the two work together rather than competing with each other.
Does a Budget Plan cost more than paying per delivery?
No, a Budget Plan is based on your estimated annual usage; it changes when you pay, not how much fuel costs. Your account is typically reviewed periodically and adjusted if your actual usage runs higher or lower than estimated.
What if I don't qualify for LIHEAP/HEAP — are there other options?
Some households that don't qualify for federal assistance may still find local or fuel-bank programs through community action agencies, churches, or nonprofit organizations. A Budget Plan and Price Protection are also open to any customer regardless of income.
How do I apply for heating assistance in Maine or New Hampshire?
Applications go through your local community action agency. In Maine, MaineHousing can point you to your regional agency; in New Hampshire, the Office of Strategic Initiatives coordinates LIHEAP through community action agencies statewide.
When should I enroll in a Budget Plan for this heating season?
As early as possible — ideally before your first delivery of the season — since the whole point is to spread costs across a full 12 months rather than concentrating them in winter.
Conclusion
Whether it's federal and state heating assistance or a simple, predictable monthly payment through Fielding's, there's no reason to face winter heating costs without a plan. Call Fielding's Oil & Propane at
1-800-491-3194 to enroll in a Budget Plan or Price Protection Program, and check with your local community action agency about HEAP/LIHEAP eligibility before this season's funding runs out.
