Important Notice: Applications for Home Energy Assistance Program * HEAP*  (Fuel Assistance)
 
WCAC is accepting applications to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for the 2025-2026 winter season for first-time clients and clients renewing/recertifying from the previous year. Applications are being mailed now to previous HEAP recipients for recertification.
WCAC is experiencing a significant impact to staffing capacity due to federal budget implications. However, demand for our services is growing.
As a result, we are strongly encouraging households that are either first-time applicants or returning clients to apply online using the online portal that opened on October 1st, 2025. https://www.toapply.org/WCAC
Returning applicants will need their account number and PIN to submit through the online portal.  The 2025 PIN is located on the top of the green paper application that was mailed to you or by calling our customer service department at 508-796-2423. 
Please anticipate delays in processing applications and payments due to the federal government shutdown that started October 1, 2025.
HEAP will have limited funding beginning November 1st for heating emergencies only. Typical annual benefits for fuel assistance that are NOT emergencies are otherwise halted until the federal government reopens and approves a discretionary budget for fuel assistance.  Heating-related emergencies only will be prioritized until additional federal funding is available.
Heating-related emergencies include:
      • No heat.
      • A termination notice from a utility.
      • Less than 1/8 of a tank of oil.
      • Less than three days’ supply of other deliverable fuels.

WCAC is here to help – home heating help is here. Learn more here about applying for help whether you are a returning client or someone finding themselves struggling with home heating bills for the first time.

WCAC’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), best known as fuel assistance or home heating assistance, helps homeowners and renters pay home heating bills and past due balances on utility bills. Assistance is available for income-eligible households to help pay home heating bills incurred between November 1 – April 30 of each year.

Please email us at to connect with a member of our fuel assistance staff with any questions.

 

CITIES/TOWNS SERVED BY WCAC’S FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Worcester, Auburn, Brookfield, Boylston, Charlton, Charlton City, Charlton Depot, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Holden, Jefferson, Leicester, Cherry Valley, Rochdale, Millbury, North Brookfield, Oakham, Oxford, North Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Fiskdale, Sutton, Manchaug, Warren, West Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield.

If your community is not listed, please click this link to contact an alternate agency for help.

Shutoff Notice/Fuel Assistance Callback Request

 

Verification