Fuel Assistance For Seniors

Even though our oil costs have dropped, the only good thing that we have coming out of our financial crisis, our seniors may still have trouble paying those heating bill this winter. Here are some resources that came from the MA Council for Home Care Aide Services

ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR MA RESIDENTS
High home heating costs will be a concern for all Massachusetts residents this winter, but even more so for home care aides and their families. The following is a list of programs in Massachusetts designed to help pay for fuel, weatherize homes, and assist with heating system repairs. Please share information on these resources with your staff.

• Massachusetts Fuel Assistance - The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households pay their heating bills. Both homeowners and renters in MA may apply for this program. For more information or to find out if you qualify, call the Massachusetts Heat Line at (800) 632-8175 or log onto www.massdhcd.com/fuel.
• Citizens Energy Heat Assistance Program - Citizens Energy also provides financial assistance to MA residents who cannot afford their heating bills. The Oil Heat Program gives a voucher of 100 gallons of free oil per heating season to low-income families and elderly residents. The Citizens Energy Distrigas program gives a $150 credit to eligible households who heat with natural gas. For more information on these programs, call (617) 338-6300 or visit Citizen’s Energy at www.citizensenergy.com.
• Good Neighbor Energy Fund - The Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides heating and utility cost assistance to individuals who are facing a short-term financial crisis and do not qualify for most fuel assistance programs. To request assistance, call (800) 334-3047 (if you live in the 508, 617, 781, or 978 area codes) or (800) 262-1320 (if you live in the 413 area code).
• Utility Arrearage Program - The Utility Arrearage Program helps MA households pay overdue utility bills, prevent utility shutoff, and restore utility service that has been shut off. Contact (800) 392-6066 or log onto www.massresources.org.
• MassSAVE - MassSAVE is an energy saving program for MA homeowners and renters which offers tips and information about free home energy assessments, energy-saving products, loan rebates, and other incentives for energy-saving home improvements. To learn more, contact MassSAVE at (866) 527-7283 or visit their website at www.masssave.com.