Massachusetts DHCD Announces Home Energy Assistance Available November 1

As the temperatures drop, Westwood residents and home heating customers around the state should be aware that federal government assistance is available to help pay heating bills. Applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are being accepted now, announced the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Massachusetts Association of Community Action (MASSCAP) last week in their launch of an annual statewide awareness campaign with Massachusetts Energy Directors Association and community partners.

LIHEAP, also known as fuel assistance or energy assistance, provides assistance for all sources of heat, including oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood and coal. In Massachusetts, LIHEAP is administered by DHCD in partnership with community-based organizations, Community Action Agencies (CAAs), and the City of Cambridge.

Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on several factors, including annual gross income of household residents over the age of 18. Eligible households include those that make less than 60% of state median income. For example, a family of four making up to $81,000 would be eligible for help.

Image courtesy of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. This chart shows the income ceiling allowed for various household sizes in determining LIHEAP eligibility.

Applicants to LIHEAP may also avail themselves, through the same application, to payment relief, utility discounts, home energy efficiency opportunities, and life saving emergency heating repair and replacements. These holistic programs allow both renters and homeowners to spend a smaller percentage of their income to meet their energy costs.

“As the temperature drops, families across the Commonwealth are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of energy, caused by the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” said Senator Ed Markey. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure that we’re fueling the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program with the funding and support it needs, so that it can in turn help heat households across the Commonwealth this winter. I look forward to continuing to work alongside MASSCAP, Self Help Inc., and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association keep LIHEAP on full blast in the months ahead.”

In video remarks by Senator Elizabeth Warren to Massachusetts Association of Community Action and other fuel assistance advocates, the senator stated, “No family should have to make the decision between paying their bills to keep their children warm, putting food on the table, and keeping the lights on. LIHEAP helps families avoid having to make that terrible choice.” She went to say, “I pushed consistently in the Senate for more and for expedited LIHEAP funding, and I am going to keep on doing so with all of my Senate colleagues.”

Applications for home energy assistance are currently being accepted online, and income-eligible households may receive help from November 1, 2022 through April 28, 2023. Both renters and homeowners are eligible for assistance. Depending on their heat source, households may be eligible for more than $1,000 in assistance.

According to LIHEAP advocates, this year, applying has never been easier. Applicants can apply online directly to the agency serving the applicant's town, by entering the applicant's zip code.  The website www.heatinghelpMA.org provides information for those in need of heating assistance, energy efficiency program information, and a link to DHCD’s online application portal, www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP.

Eligibility guidelines (snapshot of guidelines in chart above) can be found at www.heatinghelpma.org. It is important to note that eligibility is based on the last four weeks of gross income and that any additional stimulus funds or pandemic unemployment assistance funds do not count toward income.

“We are proud to work with excellent local partners at Community Action Agencies to provide relief to families across the state,” said Jennifer Maddox, Undersecretary, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. “We encourage anyone who may need assistance paying their winter heating bills to explore their eligibility, and we ask others who know loved ones or neighbors who could benefit from this free resource to apply, as well. No one should have to worry about their ability to access adequate heating.”

Thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

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