WHAT IS FUEL ASSISTANCE?
Fuel assistance is a federally funded program to assist low income households with their heating bills.
This program runs November 1 – April 30 of each year.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUEL ASSISTANCE?
Any low-income household whose gross yearly income falls at or below the income guidelines may be eligible.
(SEE GUIDELINES FOR THIS WINTER SEASON
2011 - 2012)
Homeowners and tenants are both eligible to receive fuel assistance. All heating types are included in the fuel assistance program, even households who have heat included in rent.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?
YES!
If you are renting an apartment that is state or federally subsidized (section 8, Section 707, etc.) and the cost of your heat is included in the rental payment, you may not be considered eligible for the fuel assistance program.
SOME SUBSIDIES MAY BE ELIGIBLE. MUST HAVE CURRENT TENANT PROFILE TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
DO I GET A DISCOUNT ON MY HEATING BILL?
If you are eligible for fuel assistance and fall within the income category used by the investor owned utility companies, you may be eligible for a discount.
The investor owned gas and electric companies offer discounts along with the lifeline discount offered by the telephone company.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISCOUNT INCLUDE:
- The heating account must be in the name of the person listed as head of household on the fuel assistance application. If the bill is in someone else’s name, the utility company will not offer you the discount rate.
- Your gross yearly household income must fall within 60% of the poverty level. For a family of four, this would be at or below $59,137. For a household of one, this would have to be at or below $ 30,751.
- Fuel assistance will automatically notify the utilities if you are found to be eligible for the discount.
*Income guidelines are subject to change by September 2011
PLEASE NOTE:
Discounts are not offered by delivered fuel companies. i.e. oil, propane, wood, etc.
Discounts are also not available for customers with municipal owned utility companies.
SHOULD I PAY ANYTHING ON MY HEATING BILL IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE?
YES!
You should always attempt to make payments on your bill, even if you are not able to pay the full amount. This benefit is a supplement to assist you in meeting your heat and/or utility costs. It is not intended to replace your personal payments. Therefore, you must continue to pay your energy bills.
WHAT IS THE CONSUMPTION BENEFIT?
You may be eligible for an additional benefit if the cost of heat for your home over the last 12 months is high and exceeds the threshold set for your heating source.
The consumption threshold and benefit amount is determined by our funding source and is subject to change each year. The thresholds and benefit levels will be announced when the program begins.
CITIES/TOWNS SERVED: Worcester, Auburn, Boylston, West Boylston, Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, Warren.
INCOME GUIDELINES Subject to change by September 2011
Income Guidelines
Family Size
(# of people in household) |
60% of Estimated State Median Income |
1 |
$31,218 |
2 |
$40,824 |
3 |
$50,429 |
4 |
$60,035 |
5 |
$69,641 |
6 |
$79,246 |
7 |
$81,047 |
8 |
$82,848 |
IF I THINK I AM ELIGIBLE FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE, HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM?
Based on the income guidelines listed above, if you believe you may be eligible for fuel assistance you may walk into the office located at 484 Main Street 1st floor Worcester, MA 01608. If you live in a surrounding town covered by our service area you may call the Worcester office at 508 754-1176 and schedule an appointment at one of our four outreach locations in SOUTHBRIDGE, SPENCER, WEBSTER, OR WARREN.
WHEN YOU APPLY FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE YOU MUST PROVIDE THE APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
- A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT HEATING BILL.
- A PICTURE I.D. FOR THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
- CURRENT INCOME FOR THE PAST 30 DAYS. (4 CONSECUTIVE PAYSTUBS FOR ANY HOUSEHOLD MEMBER 18 AND OVER IF YOU ARE PAID WEEKLY.
- IF YOU HAVE A RENTAL SUBSIDY PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CURRENT TENANT PROFILE
IF YOU ARE ON A FIXED INCOME, PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR LAST CHECK OR PRINT OUT FROM THE SOURCE (SOCIAL SECURITY-DISABILITY – SSI etc.) VERIFYING GROSS INCOME INCLUDING MEDICARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PAYMENTS
- IF YOU RECEIVE A PENSION, PROVIDE CHECK STUB SHOWING THE GROSS AMOUNT
- IF YOU RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT, PROVIDE COPIES OF CANCELLED CHECKS OR D.O.R. PRINTOUT MUST COVER ONE MONTH.
- IF YOU RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION, PLEASE PROVIDE THE THREE MOST RECENT STUBS.
- IF YOU OWN A MULTI-FAMILY HOME, PROVIDE RENT RECEIPTS FOR YOUR TENANTS, YEARLY PROPERTY TAX BILL, HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, WATER/SEWER BILL, MORTGAGE INTEREST STATEMENT OR CURRENT COPY OF FEDERAL TAXES WITH COMPLETE SCHEDULE E. TAXES MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED.
- IF YOU RECEIVE INTEREST INCOME OF $ 100.00 OR MORE, YOU MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF THE SOURCE OF THAT INTERST INCOME.
- IF YOU ARE SELF-EMPLOYED, PROVIDE A SIGNED COPY OF THE PRIOR YEARS. ENTIRE TAX RETURNS WITH ALL ATTACHMENTS.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS?
Once you are determined eligible for fuel assistance, you will be mailed notification of your benefit level, or you may call the automated phone system at (508) 754-7281. You will need to know your social security number to access information concerning your application. The automated phone service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is designed to tell you the amount of your benefit, and list the payments made to your heating account. You will not be able to speak with a representative from this number.
PLEASE NOTE: THE PAYMENTS LISTED MAY NOT SHOW UP ON YOUR HEATING BILL IMMEDIATELY
IMPORTANT!
Fuel assistance can only pay for the cost of the heat you actually use for the winter months. If the cost of heating your home is less than your benefit amount, we can only pay that amount. Unused benefit amounts are returned to the funding source.
