What happens when you can’t afford to stay warm?

An unseasonably cold fall and skyrocketing home heating costs have created a dicey situation for many in Massachusetts.

To make it worse, winter hasn’t even started yet.

Combine these issues with cuts to the federal fuel assistance program and advocates are concerned some won’t be able to heat their homes this winter.

“So this is where my thermostat is,” Peaffield said as she showed Boston 25 News her home. “It’s set at 58 degrees … and that feels really cold. It’s going to be a race as to whether even at 58 degrees, I’m going to have enough oil to get through entire heating season.”  WATCH