Thousands of Bay Staters have already registered their interest in applying to a new home heating oil assistance program that the governor unveiled this month, a state housing official said Wednesday.
Roughly 50,000 middle-income households are expected to qualify and receive a one-time benefit of up to $680 for heating oil, under an initiative designed to help families who typically are not eligible for heating assistance cope with soaring costs this winter, the Healey administration said Oct. 5. Applications open in December and interested households can sign up to be notified when the form opens, said Housing and Livable Communities Undersecretary Chris Kluchman.
“I’m kind of thrilled to say we’ve been watching this information interest list — we have almost 14,000 people that have already signed up since the announcement in Oct. 5,” Kluchman said at the South Middlesex Opportunity Council in Framingham, where leaders of community action agencies and elected officials gathered to promote available heating assistance programs as the temperature drops in Massachusetts.
Households earning between 60% and 100% of the state median income qualify for the heating oil benefit. For a family of four, that translates into earning more than $103,049 and up to $171,749, according to the Healey administration. Assistance will span December through April 30, or “until funding lasts.” A Healey spokesperson said $34 million is available for the program.
The average price for a gallon of heating oil is now $6.21, according to a dashboard from the Department of Energy Resources. That compares to $3.61 one year ago.
Heating assistance for low-income renters and homeowners will kick in on Sunday, Nov. 1 and be available through April 30.
“HEAP, through community action agencies, serve the whole household and help individuals and families through the roughest time of year in our state, which is the winter,” said Andrea Mendoza, director of energy services at Action for Boston Community Development. “If left to fend for themselves during deep freezes and storms, many lives would be at risk. But with HEAP, you don’t have to suffer alone.”
Household income cannot exceed 60% of the state median income to qualify for HEAP. That’s a maximum income of $53,585 for an individual and of $103,049 for a four-person household. Mendoza urged residents to apply, describing the process as “easier than ever” with the help of free digital tools.
“Many other energy assistance benefits are available far beyond just helping you with this winter’s heating bill,” Mendoza said. “This season, you can receive up to $1,450 in assistance. Starting Nov. 1, HEAP can help you qualify for up to 95% off of your monthly utility bills. It can get you access to low-cost debt forgiveness utility plans and also provide a variety of energy efficiency services.”
Households who apply for HEAP also unlock access to an emergency repair program should their heating systems break, said Jason Preuss, operations and programs director at the nonprofit Self Help, Inc. Applicants also qualify for a home energy assessment, which can help them save money through energy efficiency upgrades.
Gas customers last winter saw their monthly bills climb to $320 or higher, according to state filings. While energy affordability has become a flashpoint on the gubernatorial campaign trail, House and Senate negotiators have yet to reach an agreement on legislation that branch leaders claim could generate major long-term ratepayer savings.
In pre-recorded video remarks, Senate President Karen Spilka touted her branch’s bill Wednesday, without acknowledging that the bill is hung up in a legislative conference committee.
“This summer we passed a bill that tackles rising energy costs head-on by cutting unnecessary fees, evening out price spikes and cracking down on predatory sales practices by energy suppliers,” the Ashland Democrat said.
As Bay Staters begin to turn on the heat, Sheryl Hedlund of the Department of Fire Services said heating equipment is the main source of carbon monoxide and the second leading cause of residential fires in the commonwealth. The state sees more than 1,000 home heating fires annually, and firefighters detected carbon monoxide in more than 5,000 incidents last year, she said.
“With home energy prices so high, we’re deeply concerned about those numbers going up because of unsafe practices,” said Hedlund, DFS public education coordinator. “That could include overreliance on electric space heaters, unsafe use of propane or kerosene heaters, or using a stove for heat. So first and foremost, I want to emphasize how important it is to have working smoke and CO alarms at home.”