FUEL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS INCREASE

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has increased the FY2009 Fuel Assistance/LIHEAP benefits.  To plan for an expected increase in LIHEAP applications this year due to the expansion in income eligibility to 60% of estimated State Median Income, DHCD held a funding reserve until projected application numbers could be compared with actual numbers at the end of January 2009. 

As of February 2, 2009, LIHEAP agencies across the state have received 173,000 fuel assistance applications. This is an increase of 40,000 applications from the previous program year, approximately 19% above last year’s program at this time.

The maximum benefit for households at the lowest poverty level is increasing from $1,305 to $1,495.  The maximum benefit for the 60% of median households has increased from $450 to $895.  The maximum High Energy Benefit has increased from $75 to $100 per eligible households.

The new benefit chart is at the bottom of the eligibility chart on DHCD’s website:  www.mass.gov/Ehed/docs/dhcd/cd/liheap/chart09.pdf. 

- From: DHCD memorandum, from Gerald Bell, Manager, Community Services Programs, February 4, 2009, forwarded in “DHCD increases fuel assistance benefits” e-mail fromCharlie Harak, Utility Network listserv, February 09, 2009.

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