Close up image of hands holding mug, purple blanket visible

Warm Thy Neighbor

No one should have to choose between heat and essentials—Warm Thy Neighbor helps keep homes warm and families safe during Maine’s harsh winters.

Winter in Maine can be harsh, especially for individuals and families already struggling to make ends meet. When fuel prices rise, many households face the possibility of choosing between paying for heat or other essentials like rent, groceries, and car payments. The Warm Thy Neighbor program is designed to alleviate some of this stress, offering one-time emergency heating assistance to extremely low-income households in our community, ensuring their homes stay warm through the colder months.

How We Help:

  • Emergency Heating Assistance: Provides funds to assist with heating costs for eligible households, enabling families to stay warm while prioritizing critical bills such as rent.

  • Funded Through Generosity: Warm Thy Neighbor is made possible by private donations, allowing us to help households in need across the region.

  • If you or someone you know is struggling to stay warm this winter, we’re here to help. To learn more or apply for assistance, please call 207-729-1161, extension #115.

Who We Serve:

We provide assistance to households in the following towns: Brunswick, Topsham, Harpswell, Bailey Island, Cundy's Harbor, Lisbon Falls, Lisbon, Lisbon Center, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Durham, Arrowsic, Bath, West Bath, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Richmond, and Woolwich.

Eligibility:

To qualify for assistance, total household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. Tedford utilizes the HEAP income guidelines, which are updated annually, and found here: https://www.mainehousing.org/charts/HEAP-Income-Elibility. We work with clients to verify eligibility through a simple application process.

 FAQs

  • Eligibility is determined by total household income, which must fall below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. We will help you determine eligibility prior to your appointment.

  • Brunswick, Topsham, Harpswell, Bailey Island, Cundy’s Harbor, Lisbon Falls, Lisbon, Lisbon Center, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Durham, Arrowsic, Bath, West Bath, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Richmond and Woolwich.

  • You’ll need to provide:

    • Verification of income for all working adults in the household

    • Social Security cards for everyone in the household (or alternative documentation)

    • Photo ID of the person applying

    • Your fuel dealer's name and account number

    • Proof of home ownership (e.g., mortgage or tax bill) or a lease indicating you are responsible for heat

  • You will have to supply the Schedule C profit or loss statement filed with your taxes.

  • Yes, if you have a copy of your federal tax return, which includes Social Security numbers for everyone in your household. If you didn’t file taxes, any legal documentation showing your Social Security number or a LIHEAP application will suffice.

  • Tedford provides 100 gallons, or the equivalent if not using traditional heating fuel, per household once per heating season, made possible by the generosity of the community. This is an emergency service, so we recommend applying when your fuel tank is at one-quarter full.

  • Unfortunately, due to the number of households needing assistance, we can only provide one delivery per heating season.