$250 Home Heating Fuel Rebate initiative introduced

Low-income individuals and families who use home heating fuel as the primary method to heat their homes will be able to avail of a $250 fuel rebate, Finance Minister Loyola Sullivan announced today.

Government committed to addressing the burden of rising home heating fuel costs in its policy platform, Our Blueprint for the Future. "Today government is implementing another commitment outlined in our Blueprint," said Minister Sullivan. " We committed to creating a special needs assistance program for low-income seniors to assist with home heating costs. The home heating fuel rebate initiative being introduced today exceeds that commitment. We are extending the rebate to low-income individuals and families, not only seniors."

For the purposes of this rebate, a family or individual is considered low-income if in receipt of the Newfoundland and Labrador HST Credit, the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors� Benefit, the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit or Income Support. Eligible individuals or households will have to apply for the rebate, and will have to provide proof that they purchased home heating fuel within the past six months of application. Home heating fuel includes furnace fuel, stove oil or propane.

"Government recognizes that these rising costs are placing additional financial hardships on those who can least afford it. This program will help ease some of that burden," said Minister Sullivan.

The minister noted that, unlike in past years, the home heating fuel rebate is being introduced early in the home heating season. "Government wanted to move now, before the onset of winter, to offer this rebate. We want those eligible to have access to the rebate when heating costs are highest," he said.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-6830 or (709) 685-4401

Home Heating Fuel Rebate 2004

The 2004 Home Heating Fuel Rebate will provide a $250 payment to low-income seniors, families and other individuals who use home heating fuel as the primary source of heat. Home heating fuel includes furnace fuel, stove oil and propane.

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, the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit or basic Income Support since July 2004. A copy of an invoice evidencing the purchase of home heating fuel by the applicant or the applicant�s spouse in the last six months is also required.

The family income levels above which the program does not apply are listed below:

The provincial HST Credit and the Seniors� Benefit were paid in October, along with the federal GST Credit. The GST/HST Credit statement from the Canada Revenue Agency indicates whether the person has received any portion of the provincial credit.

Application forms will be published in the province�s daily and weekly newspapers. Application forms will also be available from the Department of Finance, all regional offices of the Department of Human Resources, Labour 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/homeheating/

The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2005. Those applying for the rebate should allow four to six weeks for processing.

For further information, please contact the Department of Finance at 729-1695 or toll-free at 1-877-729-1695.

2004 11 01 2:10 p.m.