Northampton County Promotes Emergency Fuel Program

Dec. 3, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure announced details of the county’s emergency fuel-assistance program yesterday, providing as much as $780 toward buying fuel this winter.

The program is funded via a federal grant that administered by the county.

With any program giving stuff away, there are eligibility requirements. Note that this program does not apply to City of Bethlehem residents (perhaps the city has its own program, I don’t know).

From the statement, which focuses on people with tanks of oil and perhaps gaseous fossil fuels:

— To be eligible, an individual needs to be 60-years of age or older, reside anywhere in Northampton County EXCEPT for Bethlehem City, must meet HUD (federal Housing and Urban Development) Income Guidelines, provide proof of household income and the fuel tank needs to be at 1/4 full or less. Proof of residency is also required with a copy of the current lease, a letter from the landlord and two pieces of mail, one of which is a bill. —

I have a relative with a wood furnace, he apparently doesn’t qualify. He doesn’t need help anyway. Some people still burn coal, too.

For people with electric heat, there are additional steps. They are noted in the press release below. The program starts tomorrow, Dec. 4.

Today’s low may reach 27 degrees. Winter is here no matter what the calendar says.

Here is a link to the statement from Northampton County, and below is a cut-and-paste version:

[Northampton County, PA] – The Northampton County Area Agency on Aging will begin its Emergency Fuel Assistance Program on December 4, 2025. This program is for once-a-season fuel assistance of $800: $780 goes towards fuel assistance and $20 goes to Project of Easton for administrative costs. The Emergency Fuel Assistance Program is funded through a federal HUD grant administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

“Keeping our seniors warm and safe throughout the winter months is a fundamental responsibility,” said Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure. “No older adult in Northampton County should have to choose between heating their home and meeting other essential needs. This program helps ensure that our most vulnerable residents can weather the winter with dignity.”

To be eligible, an individual needs to be 60-years of age or older, reside anywhere in Northampton County EXCEPT for Bethlehem City, must meet HUD Income Guidelines, provide proof of household income and the fuel tank needs to be at 1/4 full or less. Proof of residency is also required with a copy of the current lease, a letter from the landlord and two pieces of mail, one of which is a bill. For assistance with non-oil heat, a shut-off notice is required. LIHEAP benefits need to be exhausted, or the applicant needs to have been denied LIHEAP benefits, before they can be eligible for this program.

To apply, contact the Northampton County Information & Referral Emergency Services 610-559-3270 or 610-829-4800.

When a referral is received, a Northampton County Area Agency on Aging staff person will schedule a home visit to determine eligibility.