Massachusetts expected to receive $144 million. ABCD urges residents to apply now.
CONTACT:
Jamie McIver
857.488.5068
jamie.mciver@bostonabcd.org
(BOSTON, MA) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released the initial $3.7 billion in federal funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Massachusetts is expected to receive $144 million. The income eligibility guidelines are generous, and ABCD urges everyone to look into their eligibility and apply right away. For FY25, as much as $1,050 can be provided in fuel assistance for eligible households. Last year, ABCD accepted home heating applications for 21,521 households. ABCD provides assistance to eligible households in Boston, Brookline, Newton and seven communities in the Mystic Valley: Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn.
While the federal program is still called LIHEAP, Massachusetts decided to remove “low income” and refer to the program as the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in order to reach a broader range of residents who could benefit from fuel assistance this winter. This announcement comes just in time for hundreds of thousands of households across the Commonwealth who desperately need this funding to be available right away. The program pays benefits directly to vendors that supply a household’s primary heat source. In addition, ABCD helps households with arrearages work with the utility companies to reduce payments.
“ABCD is so grateful to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for making this funding available for families and seniors who are in need of oil deliveries and other heating payments,” said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler. “Utility companies have confirmed significant rate increases for natural gas, and oil and propane are both high at $3.50 a gallon. Both are untenable for most consumers, and especially for residents who are already struggling to keep up with mortgages, rent, food and other essentials. Given heating prices, harsh New England winters, and the overall high cost of living in Massachusetts — the current funding is still insufficient. ABCD strongly urges Congress to further support this vital program and allocate significantly more funding. The stakes are higher than ever, and it is crucial that we act to ensure everyone has the support they need.”
HEAP benefits are awarded based on household size and annual income. Many people make the mistake of thinking they won’t qualify when, in fact, they would, as shown below.
How to apply
Residents of Boston, Brookline and Newton can apply by calling ABCD at 617-357-6012. Mystic Valley residents 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. Previous fuel assistance recipients received recertification forms in the mail which they should fill out and return.All Massachusetts residents can apply online at mass.gov/heap. More information including a list of Boston-area neighborhood site locations and phone numbers may be found by visiting: bostonabcd.org/HEAPFY25.
