United Way CEO Nicolato Talks Launch of 2018 Program For Winter Heating Bill Support on LIVE

United Way CEO Nicolato Talks Launch of 2018 Program For Winter Heating Bill Support on LIVE

As of November 1, 2018, the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund is now open in order to support Rhode Islanders this winter. Aimed at families and households experiencing financial difficulty, the fund has provided heating assistance to over 45,500 local households since its inception in 1986. Cortney Nicolato, President and CEO of United Way joined GoLocal LIVE’s Chelsea Guay to discuss the overall effectiveness of the fund and who has benefitted from the program thus far.

The Fund, sponsored by National Grid, Ocean State Power, Pascoag Utility District, Petro Home Services and RISEC LP and administered by United Way of Rhode Island has raised over $14.2 million since its inception to help keep Rhode Islanders in need warm in harsh winter temperatures.

“We have all felt the colder temperatures in the air the last couple of weeks so I’m pleased to announce the Fund is open to all eligible households as of today,” said Nicolato.  “We encourage anyone to dial 2-1-1, United Way’s 24-hour call center, if they are looking for general information about the Good Neighbor Energy Fund or need help identifying their local CAP agency to determine eligibility.”

Much of the discussion on GoLocal LIVE  - WATCH ABOVE - was about the program as a whole, the criteria for who is eligible and how to apply.

The United Way of Rhode Island encourages those households in need of energy assistance to visit their local Community Action Program (CAP) agency to determine household eligibility.  For more information about the Good Neighbor Energy Fund or to receive assistance, contact either the United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island helpline or a local Community Action Program (CAP) agency. 

Those interested in donating to the Fund can also text “WARM” to 91999 on their mobile phone, send a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund” to Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund, c/o United Way of Rhode Island, 50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909-2459 or click here.