Utility Assistance Programs
Winter is here and the Community Resource Center would like to remind staff of a range of fuel and other utility assistance programs and utility shut-off protections. Since most privately-funded energy assistance programs require that a household or individual either have exhausted any Federal fuel benefits or that they be ineligible for such programs, the first step is to apply to or rule out these benefits.
Fuel Assistance/Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (federally funded, state administered)
Fuel Assistance or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households pay heating bills during the winter months. The program is for both homeowners and renters and eligibility is based upon gross household income. The funding goes directly to the primary heat source provider. Most fuel assistance households also qualify for programs such as the Weatherization Assistance Program, which was d esigned to assist low-income households in reducing their heating bills by providing energy efficiency services. Typical work includes air sealing, attic and/or sidewall insulation, weather stripping and minor repairs associated with weatherization work. It should be noted that many low-income households may be eligible for other utility discounts and emergency furnace repairs for homeowners.
Applications for fuel assistance programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program are available through energy assistance organizations, which are commonly a part of local Community Action Agencies. To find a local energy assistance agency, please see the Cold Relief –Energy Assistance Brochure on the mass.gov website: http://www.mass.gov/Ehed/docs/dhcd/cd/cold/coldrel.pdf.
Also see: LIHEAP fact-sheet and LIHEAP income guidelines.
Other Energy Assistance Programs
These programs are for individuals who are not eligible or have used up their federal fuel assistance benefits.
The Citizens Energy program is open to low income families that have exhausted their federal fuel assistance benefit or to those ineligible to receive federal fuel assistance who cannot afford to pay their heating bills. The Citizens Energy program provides a one-time voucher for delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil for free*. The voucher must be given to the vender at the time of delivery. The Distrigas program provides a $150 credit to a household’s gas utility bill, for those who heat with gas. According to www.massresources.org the Citizens Energy heat Program/ Joe for Oil Program/ Distrigas Gas Heat Program through Citizen's Oil will open as of January 5, 2009 and run through February 28, 2009 or until funds run out.
For more information about the Citizen’s Energy Oil Heat program: 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877-563-4645).
For information about the Distrigas program: 1-866-GAS-9918.
* For those who heat with oil----Please note on the web site it mentions it takes up to 3 weeks to process an application. If approved, the household will be mailed a voucher for 100 gallons of home heating oil. The fuel delivery must be scheduled within 15 days of the day the voucher is received.
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund is for households who are facing short-term financial crisis and have exhausted or do not qualify for federal fuel assistance. This program is administered through local Salvation Army Agencies.
To locate a local Salvation Army: http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_mas.nsf/ce952dea4507ee7780256cf4005d2254/9bcc90cb7c82033880256e99001320a4?OpenDocument or call 1-800-334-3047
Many Massachusetts utility companies offer reduced rates to low-income households who receive public assistance benefits and meet other income eligibility guidelines. Some utility companies automatically enroll eligible customers; however if this is not the case, customers can apply directly to their utility company.
Under Massachusetts' Winter Moratorium on utility service termination, companies are prohibited from terminating oil, electricity, and gas service, if it is used for heat or to activate a heating system, between November 15 and March 15 each year for customers who are unable to pay their overdue bills due to “Financial Hardship”. Additionally, individuals suffering from a serious illness can secure utility shutoff protection as can families that include a child under 12 months of age or households where all members (excluding any minor children) are over 65. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) considers any family living at or below 60% of state median income or about 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) as automatically qualifying for "Financial Hardship." Some families with slightly higher income may also demonstrate Financial Hardship. This “automatic” limit is an increase from previous years when the was 200% FPL. The DPU is allowing gas companies to file for waivers from this new ruling, "for good cause shown". It remains to be seen how many of these waivers will be allowed.
To prove “Financial Hardship”, consumers must fill out a financial hardship form (each company uses a different one) and send it to the utility company. Financial Hardship forms must be renewed quarterly. Recent changes also allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants can now certify the illness, as well as doctors. Additionally, serious illness letters now need only be renewed quarterly (rather than monthly), and, if the illness is "chronic", they need only be renewed every 6 months (rather than every three months).
Recent changes to Massachusetts’ utility shut-off protection rules include expanded definition of termination protection for households with an infant. Previously, the terminated service would only be restored if the termination had occurred while there was an infant in the home. The Department is now expanding this protection so that service will be restored "regardless of whether the nonpayment and resulting termination occurred prior to or after the birth of the infant."
The Department has also expanded the termination protection for elderly households to cover grandparents raising children . Previously, EVERYONE in the household had to 65 or older to assert the protection, which meant that seniors who took in a minor grandchild, minor relative or minor friend of the family would not be able to claim the protection. The protection has now been expanded so that if the elderly household is low-income and takes in a minor, the protection against termination will apply.
For more information and a sample letter for shut-off protection please visit: http://healthcare.partners.org/ss/ssframebottom/staffresources/news/2008/02_08UtilityShut-OffProtect.htm
- LIHEAP fact-sheet courtesy of Pragya Rizal, Assistant manager, Public Payer Policy and Operations, Partners HealthCare. The utility shut-off protection information in this article is primarily adapted from “4 great rulings from the MA DPU” from Charlie Harak, National Consumer Law Center, from e-mail, November 19, 2008. Thanks to Maria LoDuca for forwarding this very helpful information!
12/08