How to Get Home Heating Help in Massachusetts

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Categories: How Tos | Legal

  • Do you need home heating assistance in Massachusetts? Whether you heat with [[electricity], oil, or natural gas, there are programs that can help you heat your Massachusetts home. Read on to learn how to get home heating help in Massachusetts.

  • Introduction

    Sometimes it's difficult to stay warm in the winter. In Massachusetts, you have some legal protection that can prevent your heat from being turned off. You can also turn to government help, such as LIHEAP, or private agencies such as Citizen's Energy, to get heating assistance.

  • Step 1: Know the Law

    Massachusetts utilities cannot shut off heat under the following circumstances:

    1. If everyone in the household is over 65http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Consumer/agsguide_homeheating.pdf
    2. If someone in the household is under age 1, or is seriously ill, and you can demonstrate to the utility that you cannot pay the billhttp://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Consumer/agsguide_homeheating.pdf

    Utilities are also prohibited from shutting off heat from November 15 through March 15, as long as your bill was current as of November 15.http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Consumer/agsguide_homeheating.pdf

    The attorney general has a helpline you can call (617-727-8400), if you need assistance in getting your utility to comply with the law.http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Consumer/agsguide_homeheating.pdf

  • Step 2: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

    The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and managed by local agencies within Massachusetts, can assist low income families with their heating bills. You can apply for the program by contacting the agency that deals with residents in your town, which can be located on the Department of Housing and Community Development City Resources page. The program provides assisstance to families with incomes up to 60% of the state median ($53,608 for a family of four).http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ehedterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Community+Development&L2=Housing+Energy+Programs&sid=Ehed&b=terminalcontent&f=dhcd_cd_cold_cold&csid=Ehed

  • Step 3: Citizen's Energy

    Citizen's Energy, founded by Joe Kennedy, supplements the assistance provided by LIHEAP. In 2008-2009, the program provided eligible families with 100 gallons of heating oil at a reduced price. To request assistance, call 1-800-JOE-4OIL.

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