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Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund

Good Neighbor Energy Fund campaign provided warmth to nearly 1,700 individuals in 2020-2021

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CANTON — The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, a cooperative effort between the state’s sponsoring energy companies and their customers to help households in temporary financial crisis pay their energy bills, announces that its 2020-2021 “Give The Gift of Warmth” campaign raised $574,301 in contributions and provided energy assistance to 1,683 individuals in need, according to a press release from the organization, which is affiliated with The Salvation Army.

The Fund has reopened for the 2021-22 year and applications are being accepted from all households that are eligible for assistance. The Fund disbursement for 2021-22 is $500 per eligible household per heating season, according to the organization.

“Even in the face of the pandemic and increased unemployment, the residents of the Commonwealth continued to be generous to those in need of energy assistance throughout the winter and into the spring. In fact, we exceeded our fundraising goal of $500,000,” said Mary Ellen Molloy, chairperson of the 2021-2022 Good Neighbor Energy Fund campaign and regulatory affairs specialist for Eversource Energy. “On behalf of all the households that received assistance, we would like to thank the Fund’s sponsoring energy companies throughout the state, their customers and members of the corporate community who helped provide warmth through their donations.”

The Fund is often the last resort for families who have not qualified for federal and state assistance programs. The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division, which administers the Fund throughout Massachusetts, pays the energy provider directly for households whose gross income falls between 60% and 80% of the state’s median income levels. For example, in this 2021-2022 GNEF campaign year, a household size of four would need to have a total gross yearly income of between $78,752 and $105,101 to qualify.

Since its establishment in 1985, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund has raised over $23 million and helped more than 92,000 families in need pay a month’s energy expense. For more information, visit www.magoodneighbor.org.

Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund opens early

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CANTON — Energy companies from across Massachusetts are coming together to support neighbors in need with the announcement that the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund (GNEF) opened last week to all eligible households, according to an announcement from the fund.

The fund helps families and individuals impacted by a temporary crisis, like COVID-19 or a loss of a job, who don’t qualify for federal or state assistance with the payment of their home energy expenses, according to the fund.

This campaign year’s fund disbursement is $500 per eligible household per heating season. The Good Neighbor Energy Fund’s 37th annual “Give The Gift of Warmth” campaign’s goal is to raise $500,000 and assist more than 1,000 households.

“We are opening the fund to all eligible candidates earlier than we ever have before as we understand the heightened urgency of need for home energy assistance due to the financial difficulties of Massachusetts households further exacerbated by the coronavirus,” said Mary Ellen Molloy, chairperson of the 2021-2022 Good Neighbor Energy Fund campaign and Regulatory Affairs Specialist for Eversource Energy.

Those in temporary crisis are encouraged to visit the fund’s website at www.magoodneighbor.org to see if they qualify for assistance. Molloy said the fund has raised more than $22.5 million and assisted over 91,250 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 $78,752 and $105,001 to qualify.

“Millions of Americans are still experiencing the ongoing impacts of the pandemic as they struggle to recover and stay in their homes,” said Jeffrey Bailey, director of social services, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “With the end of COVID-era federal unemployment programs established by the CARES Act, The Salvation Army anticipates an unprecedented increase in requests for heating assistance, especially as temperatures begin to drop. The Fund stands ready to help our struggling neighbors as we remain on the front-lines of need.”

To apply 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, or 800-262-1320 if you live in area code 413.

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 the green-colored 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 $1 or more.

Customers can also donate online at www.magoodneighbor.org or mail a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund” to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, c/o The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, Massachusetts 02021-1408.

Households in need encouraged to apply for Good Neighbor Energy Fund

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CANTON — Due to the end to the moratorium on home energy shut-offs for customers of investor-owned utilities not on protected status next Thursday, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund’s sponsoring energy companies are encouraging those in need to apply for assistance as soon as possible by visiting their local Salvation Army Corps Community Center, according to an announcement from the organization.

If unsure of where the nearest Community Center is located, please visit www.magoodneighbor.org.

The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is often the last resort for families who are in temporary financial difficulty and do not qualify for federal and state fuel assistance programs such as LIHEAP, according to the organization.

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division 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 $75,202 and $100,268 to qualify. This campaign year’s fund disbursement is $300 per eligible household per heating season, according to the organization.

“Once the investor-owned utilities’ moratorium on energy shut-offs ends there is often a spike in the urgency of need for energy assistance,” said Marie McCabe, chairperson of the 2021 Good Neighbor Energy Fund campaign and Customer Service Representative at North Attleboro Electric Department. “With this in mind, households who are having trouble making ends meet due to the pandemic or another crisis shouldn’t delay in looking to the fund as a potential source for help.” McCabe added that the easiest way to determine if a household qualifies is to visit the fund’s website at www.magoodneighbor.org.

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, according to the organization.

Massachusetts residents and businesses that wish to donate to the fund are encouraged to use the green Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in monthly energy bills. Some energy companies offer an ‘add a dollar’ program which allows customers to contribute on their monthly bill payment by one dollar or more.

Anyone can also donate with a credit card online at www.magoodneighbor.org. Donors can also simply mail a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund”, c/o The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, Mass. 02021-1408. Participating energy companies support their respective customers’ generosity through various giving programs.

For more information about how to apply for the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, visit your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or call 800-334-3047 if you live in area codes 508, 617, 781 or 978 or 800-262-1320 if you live in area code 413.

Good Neighbor Energy Fund continues to be available to help household affected by pandemic

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CANTON — Even though the winter season has officially ended, the sponsoring energy companies of the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund and its administrator, The Salvation Army, continue to encourage those impacted by COVID-19 or other crises to apply for home energy assistance this spring by visiting their local Salvation Army Corps Community Center.

If unsure of where the nearest Community Center is located, please visit www.magoodneighbor.org.

The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is often the last resort for families who are in temporary financial difficulty and do not qualify for federal and state fuel assistance programs such as LIHEAP.

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division 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 4 would need to have a total gross yearly income of between $75,202 and $100,268 to qualify. This campaign year’s Fund disbursement is $300 per eligible household per heating season.

“We want Massachusetts households in need to know that they can still request assistance with their energy bills even now that warmer weather has arrived,” said Marie McCabe, Chairperson of the 2021 Good Neighbor Energy Fund campaign and Customer Service Representative at North Attleboro Electric Department. “We encourage all those who are going through a rough patch due to the pandemic or another crisis to look to the Fund as a potential source for help.” McCabe added that the easiest way to determine if a household qualifies is to visit the Fund’s website at www.magoodneighbor.org.

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.

The Fund’s 35th annual “Give The Gift of Warmth” campaign is a cooperative effort between the Fund’s 19 sponsoring energy companies, the general public and the corporate community to raise $500,000 and help an anticipated 1,500 households. The campaign relies on the generosity of individuals, families, local corporations and foundations for support and has raised more than $22.5 million and assisted over 91,250 households since its inception in 1985.

Massachusetts residents and businesses that wish to donate to the Fund are encouraged to use the green Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in monthly energy bills. Some energy companies offer an ‘add a dollar’ program which allows customers to contribute on their monthly bill payment by one dollar or more.

Anyone can also donate with a credit card online at www.magoodneighbor.org. Donors can also simply mail a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund”, c/o The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, Massachusetts, 02021-1408. Participating energy companies support their respective customers’ generosity through various giving programs.

For more information about how to apply for the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, visit your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or call 800-334-3047 if you live in area codes 508, 617, 781 or 978 or 800-262-1320 if you live in area code 413.