While fall may just be getting into full swing, East Haven’s Department of Social Services is already thinking about the colder months of winter ahead. The department is already accepting applications for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

Residents can make application appointments by calling 203-468-3303. Social Services is currently taking appointments for residents who use oil and other deliverable fuels, while appointments for gas and electric customers will begin in January.

“The program is designed to assist people with heating costs over the winter season, which is very helpful as it is often people’s largest expense,” said Bob Petrucelli. “We’re just trying to get as many town residents in here as we can.”

Petrucelli has been the town’s youth coordinator for the past 25 years and added the director of Social Services title to that position two years ago. In his time with social services and looking back on historic numbers, he has seen the number of residents who apply for the program grow.

“We’ve done a much better job of getting the word out through advertising, press releases, and information on our new website,” said Petrucelli. “The transition [into my new position] has gone very smoothly with the help of a lot of people, including my assistant Jessica Santos, and the mayor’s office.”

Appointments to apply for assistance are available from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. While those are the designated times for applications, Petrucelli noted that his department is “very flexible and willing to work with people” if those times interfere with their working hours.

When residents call to make an appointment, the Department of Social Services will send out an information packet with appointment confirmation and a list of documents they need to bring to complete the application.

East Haven runs the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program in conjunction with the Agency in Community Action of New Haven, which is funded by the state and federal government. The program is income-based and throughout the winter of 2014-’15, it served more than 500 residents, delivering more than $400,000 in benefits.

Depending on income, as well as other factors such as age and number of people in the household, residents can qualify for between one and four oil deliveries. Residents whose homes are heated by gas and electric receive a one-time credit on their utility bill based on income.

The East Haven Department of Social Services runs several programs on this scale throughout the year, having just completed the Renter’s Rebate Program, which helped more than 500 seniors or fully disabled residents with $300,000 in benefits during the last application period.

In addition to the larger programs, Petrucelli’s department also helps residents with other needs throughout the year by working with various town organizations, including the Rotary, Old Stone Church, East Haven United, the Food Pantry, the Senior Center, the Agency on Aging, and more.

“If we find families who are in need of something, we work as a team to help them,” said Petrucelli. “People call with a lot of questions for services at state level so we’re able to make referrals or try to answer questions. We help people and point them in the right direction.”

Petrucelli enjoys helping East Haven residents and encourages those in need of assistance to reach out.

“To be able to help people in any way is wonderful,” said Petrucelli. “The programs are out there—it’s a matter of applying, going from there, and taking it one step at a time. Nobody likes to ask for any type of assistance, but our goal is to make our office as friendly and welcoming as possible we can help people with whatever needs they have.”

For information, call 203-468-3303 or visit the Social Services Department’s page at www.townofeasthavenct.org.