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Heating prices

‘No resident should have to worry’

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BOSTON — As temperatures continue to drop, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus, Jr., said the state is trying to ensure that no one has to come home to a cold house this winter.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) announced the start of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for 2023-2024 winter heating season.

“The Massachusetts home energy assistance program is free, because no resident should have to worry about heating their home during the wintertime,” said Augustus, secretary of the EOHLC.

LIHEAP is a free, statewide service funded by the federal LIHEAP that helps eligible households stay warm during the winter months by paying a portion of winter heating bills.

Applications for home energy assistance are currently being accepted online at toapply.org/massliheap and income-eligible households may receive financial help to offset heating bills from Nov. 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024.

Both homeowners and renters can apply online or through local administering agencies for LIHEAP assistance. Households must meet specific eligibility requirements to qualify for aid, which will be paid directly to their heating vendor.

Eligibility is based on several factors, including household size and combined gross annual income of residents 18 and older. Qualifying households – including those with the cost of heat included in the rent – can receive assistance for all sources of heat, including oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood and coal.

“High fuel costs can have a devastating effect on household budgets and can even endanger Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents,” said Augustus. “We encourage anyone who needs heating assistance to explore their eligibility by applying online or visiting the nearest administering agency. And to please share the information with loved ones or neighbors who could benefit from this free resource.”

For more information, or to find your local LIHEAP agency, visit www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP.

(Courtesy of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities)

Federal, state programs to lower heating bills

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FITCHBURG — A family of four that makes less than $87,294 in gross income will qualify for fuel assistance this winter according to the information presented at a home heating assistance forum on Nov. 1 at Great Wolf Lodge.

That was the main message shared with the nonprofits and community leaders who participated in the energy assistance forum sponsored by gas and electricity provider Unitil and co-hosted with United Way of North Central Massachusetts in partnership with Fitchburg-based Making Opportunity Count (MOC).

Speakers discussed the details of the heating assistance with over 50 representatives from various nonprofits who will use the information to help their clients reduce heating costs this winter.

“This meeting is so important because it reviews all the heating assistance programs available for the frontline agencies, so they can assist their clients,” said Unitil External Affairs Manager Alec O’Meara. “We encourage homeowners and renters to take proactive steps now to learn which programs they may qualify for, especially those on fixed income or tight budgets.”

MOC Quality Assurance Coordinator Edward Campbell said a family of four with a household income of $87,294 or less would qualify for the program. For a single person, the income figure is $45,392. The one-time benefit, depending on income and housing type, generally ranges from $120 to $600.

MOC aids in managing the Federal Fuel Assistance program for the region.

According to Campbell, homeowners and renters can apply for assistance beginning Nov. 1. Residents can learn more about qualification guidelines for fuel assistance by reaching out to MOC at (978) 342-4520.

Unitil Credit Supervisor Justin Stearns reviewed with attendees the utility company’s budget billing program, which makes monthly utility bills more affordable by leveling out higher seasonal energy bills, which are instead spread out throughout the year.

In addition, customers may qualify for a discount rate on natural gas or electricity, depending on household size and income. According to Stearns, the discount rate for electric customers is 34.5% while the natural gas discount stands at 25%. Unitil works with MOC to approve customers for the discount rate as well as other agencies that provide public benefits.

“In many cases, the actual discount which applies to 12 months of billing is often greater than the one-time Federal payment, so that is why I encourage households who qualify to apply for the benefit,” Stearns said.

Customers who qualify for the discount rate may also qualify for the Arrears Forgiveness Program. If a customer has an overdue balance of $300 and is 60 or more days past due for their gas and/or electric service, they may qualify to enter into the program. Once enrolled, if a customer commits to paying their current utility budgeted bills on time going forward, they may be eligible for up to $4,800 in relief per service, per year on their outstanding balances.

Separately, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund also provides an additional one-time payment for heating assistance as long as the household income is between 60% and 80% of the state median. According to Stearns, the income limits are $45,393 to $60,523 for an individual and $87,295 to $116,392 for a family of four.

Unitil’s Derek Kimball reviewed energy saving programs that included Mass Save’s energy efficiency programs, including income-based programs that provide no-cost or discounted energy efficiency services.

The Enhanced Residential Program, for those with a household of four members and incomes between $87,295 and $116,392, offers no-cost insulation upgrades and rebates on related projects.

The Income Eligible Program is for a household with four members whose income is less than $87,294 or for a single person less than $45,392. Applicants may qualify for no-cost insulation, replacement of heating systems, air-sealing upgrades and new home appliances such as clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, heating systems, dehumidifiers and window AC units.

Kimball encouraged residents to contact MassSave at 1-866-537–SAVE (7267) to complete the easy, no cost income verification by phone and to learn more about the Enhanced Residential Program. For more information on qualifying for the Income Eligible Program, homeowners and renters should contact MOC in Fitchburg.

Future utilities EV infrastructure upgrades
The meeting ended with a brief presentation on how utilities plan to upgrade the electrical infrastructure to meet the future energy demand for electric vehicles and heating systems.

Every public utility in the state is required to develop and implement an Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP), which is a comprehensive plan designed to ensure the electric system is capable of supporting the state’s climate goals. More information on Unitil’s current draft plan as well as opportunities to provide feedback can be found at unitil.com/esmp.

(Courtesy Unitil Corporation)

Heating aid forum brings funding to nonprofits

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FITCHBURG — Home heating assistance programs seek to ensure that no one’s home goes cold but, in order to provide that assistance, they need help. That’s why a forum is held each year to attract local nonprofit agencies so they can learn about the newest initiatives on all levels of policy.

Unitil and United Way of North Central Massachusetts in partnership with Making Opportunity Count (MOC)  will host the energy assistance forum for area nonprofits on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Great Wolf Lodge.

Currently in the 23rd year of the annual forum, local, state and federal heating assistance and energy efficiency initiatives are reviewed for staff members of nonprofit agencies, who then educate their clients on these programs

In addition, there will be a presentation on how utilities plan to upgrade the electrical infrastructure to meet the future energy demand for electric vehicles and heating systems.

“This annual forum has been tremendously helpful over the years in getting the word out that there is both financial and technical help available for the winter heating season,” said Unitil External Affairs Manager Alec O’Meara. “Additionally, we look forward to sharing with local agencies the steps we intend to take to ensure energy needs continue to be met equitably as usage of electric service evolves in the years ahead.”

Nonprofit agencies are being asked to RSVP by Oct. 25 to Lisa Normandin, at lisa@uwncm.org, who is with the United Way of North Central Massachusetts. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 at the Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

Unitil provides electric service to Ashby, Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Townsend, and natural gas service to those communities, as well as Gardner and Westminster.

IC Credit Union contributes $17,500 for local home heating aid

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FITCHBURG — IC Credit Union announced gifts to local communities to support Home Heating Aid in advance of this year’s winter season. A total of $17,500 in donations are earmarked for the communities in and around Fitchburg, Leominster, Ayer, Westminster and Worcester.

IC Credit Union President and CEO Christopher Hendry poses for a photo at Leominster City Hall with Mayor Dean Mazzarella. (COURTESY IC CREDIT UNION)
IC Credit Union President and CEO Christopher Hendry poses for a photo at Leominster City Hall with Mayor Dean Mazzarella. (COURTESY IC CREDIT UNION)

“Our commitment to our members and the communities we serve dates back to our very beginning in 1928,” said Christopher Hendry, president and CEO of IC Credit Union. “The needs then aren’t much different than the needs today: How can we help our communities and provide some level of financial security and safety? The communities in our back yard will undoubtedly face challenges as home heating prices rise this winter. Our partnership with the cities and towns where we have branches continues our belief in doing what’s right and hopefully making winter a little warmer for many.”

This commitment to the communities in North Central Massachusetts continues a tradition of giving back for IC. The credit union makes donations to a myriad of nonprofits throughout the year, combining financial support with volunteer opportunities and much needed areas of expertise. This commitment is also fully supported by the IC Board of Directors and its Supervisory Committee.

“Our team, our Board and our members are part of this community,” Hendry continued. “We live here. We shop here. This is our home. This support is something we feel strongly about and hope other organizations will join us in making an impact for all of the people in our community.”

Mayor Stephen DiNatale said, “This is the first donation to the Fitchburg Mayor’s Energy Fund. I am hoping other financial institutions in the area will follow IC”s generosity. Fitchburg’s Fuel Assistance Application is being crafted and will be released later this week.”

Fitchburg residents seeking more information on how to make donations to the fund or apply can call DiNatale’s office at 978-829-1801. Leominster residents can call Mazzarella’s office at

Mass. Good Neighbor Energy Fund now open to all eligible households

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The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, sponsored by 19 energy companies in the state launched its annual “Give The Gift of Warmth” campaign drive with a kickoff breakfast recently that also featured special recognition of a GNEF volunteer.

GNEF, which is now open to all eligible households, helps families and individuals impacted by a temporary crisis and who don’t qualify for federal or state assistance with a $500 home energy payment per eligible household per heating season.

This marks the 38th year energy companies and individuals from across Massachusetts come together to support households through financial fuel assistance. This year’s campaign goal is to raise $500,000 and assist more than 1,000 local households.

In addition to launching its annual campaign, Unitil Credit Supervisor Sue Corson was recognized with The Chairman’s Award at its kickoff breakfast at Lombardo’s in Randolph that included elected officials and volunteers. Corson has served on the Good Neighbor Energy Fund Committee for 24 years, including as chair, vice chair and secretary.

“Sue is so deserving of this award. She has dedicated countless hours toward the fund’s success, which has allowed us to assist so many families over the years,” said Marie McCabe, chairperson of the 2022-2023 Good Neighbor Energy Fund campaign and customer service representative for North Attleborough Electric Department.

Those in temporary crisis are encouraged to visit the fund’s website at magoodneighbor.org to see if they qualify for assistance. McCabe added that the Fund has raised more than $23.5 million and assisted over 93,250 households in need with the payment of monthly energy expenses since its inception in 1985.

The fund is often the last resort for families who do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs. The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division, which administers the fund for the sponsoring energy companies, pays the energy provider directly for households whose gross income falls between 60 and 80% of the state’s median income levels. For example, a household size of four would need to have a total gross yearly income of between $81,562 and $108,748 to qualify.

To apply to the Fund for assistance, visit your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or call 800-334-3047 if you live in area codes 508, 617, 781 or 978. If you live in the area code 413, call 800-262-1320. The fund’s distribution award letter will also serve as qualification for the Mass Save Enhanced Insulation Incentive for customers of a Massachusetts investor-owned utility. Specifically, the offer provides qualified customers with no-cost insulation, as well as other no- cost energy savings measures.

Participating energy companies support their respective customers’ generosity through various giving programs. Massachusetts residents who wish to support the Fund can “Give the Gift of Warmth” by using Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in monthly energy bills or through the ‘add a dollar’ program some energy companies offer which allows customers to increase their monthly utility bill payment by one dollar or more.

Customers can also donate online by visiting magoodneighbor.org or simply mail a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund” and send it to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, c/o The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.