NLIS 4
March 20, 2003
(Finance)
 

Home heating fuel rebate program

Two years ago this government put in place a home heating fuel rebate program to assist low income households.

I am pleased to announce today that we are implementing a similar program this year to provide some relief for low income families, seniors and other individuals who have been particularly hard hit by price increases for home heating fuel.

As before, this program will provide a $100 rebate to those who are eligible. It will apply to households that use furnace oil, stove oil or propane gas as the primary source of heat in the six months up to the end of March this year. To be eligible, an individual must have received, since July 2002, any amount of the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit, Newfoundland and Labrador HST credit, the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors Benefit, or received social assistance in January to May of this year.

Price regulation has helped stabilize petroleum prices in this province, but government has no ability to control the world price of crude oil. As much as we would like to do otherwise, we cannot afford to provide a rebate to families of all income levels. We are, therefore, implementing this rebate program to provide some relief to low income earners who are most vulnerable to price increases.

Application forms will be published in the province�s daily and weekly newspapers in the coming weeks. Application forms will also be available from the Department of Finance, the Department of Human Resources and Employment, Government Service Centres, and the Seniors Resource Centre (St. John�s). The application form can be downloaded from the Government web site

It is estimated that this program will cost approximately $2 million.

Thank you.

Home Heating Fuel Rebate 2003

Government has implemented a home heating fuel rebate to provide financial relief for low income seniors, families and other individuals who have been particularly hard hit by increases in the cost of home heating fuel.

This is a one-time $100 rebate per household. It applies to households that used home heating fuel (furnace fuel, stove oil or propane) as their primary source of heat between October 1, 2002 and March 31, 2003.

Only one person per household may apply for the rebate. In order to receive this rebate, the applicant or his/her spouse must have received any portion of the provincial HST Credit, the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors� Benefit or the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit since July 2002. Individuals or families that receive Social Assistance in either of the months January to May 2003 will also be eligible for the rebate, providing they use heating fuel as their primary source of heat. The following table provides the family income levels above which the program does not apply.

Individuals will have to apply to the Department of Finance for the rebate and provide an invoice or statement showing that home heating fuel was used in the previous six months.

Application forms will be published in the province�s daily and weekly newspapers in the coming weeks. Application forms will also be available from the Department of Finance, the Department of Human Resources and Employment, Government Service Centres, and the Seniors Resource Centre (St. John�s). The application form can be downloaded from the Government web site at //www.gov.nl.ca/fin. The deadline for submitting applications is May 31, 2003. Those applying for the rebate should allow at least 30 days for processing.

For more information about this rebate, please call 729-1695 or toll free at 1-877-729-1695.

2003 03 20                                       1:55 p.m.