ABCD has announced that the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) now provides up to $1,950 in fuel assistance for eligible households. This amount is an increase from the $600 maximum announced at the beginning of the winter season, and represents carryover funding from fiscal year 2023.
The application deadline has been extended. Residents of Greater Boston have until May 10, 2024 to apply for LIHEAP. Last year, ABCD provided home heating assistance to 29,963 households. This year, the organization has already received 19,204 LIHEAP applications.
“This almost $1,300 more in carryover funding will allow us to help residents who are struggling with heating costs, and who are stretched thin overall by cost of living expenses like food, rent and childcare,” said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler. “We encourage residents to check into their eligibility. Even for those who can’t get the maximum amount, some fuel assistance will allow them to reallocate their money to other areas of need.”
LIHEAP benefits are awarded based on household size and annual income. Many people mistakenly believe they won’t qualify when, in fact, they would. For example:
- An individual at 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) earning $14,580 may receive $1,950 for deliverable oil and propane; or $1,450 for utilities and heat
- A family of four at 100% of the FPL earning $30,000 may receive $1,950 fordeliverable oil and propane; or $1,450 for utilities and heat.
Some households qualify for less, but some help still makes a difference:
- An individual at 60% of the state median income earning $45,392 may receive $1,169 for deliverable oil and propane; or $870 for utilities and heat
- A family of four at 60% of the state median income earning $87,294 may receive $1,169 for deliverable oil and propane; or $870 for utilities and heat.
Learn more about this home heating program and the energy efficiency programs also available to income-eligible households at bostonabcd.org/heat. Residents of Boston, Brookline and Newton can apply by calling ABCD at 617-357-6012. Residents of the Mystic Valley region can call ABCD’s Malden Fuel Assistance office at 781-322-6284. They can also call their neighborhood center and make an appointment to fill out fuel assistance forms in person. All Massachusetts residents can apply online at toapply.org/MassLIHEAP
