Programs Are Available to Residents Who Need Assistance Heating Their Homes This Winter
There are programs and resources available to Melrose residents who need assistance paying their heating bills or filling their oil or propane tanks this winter. Continue reading to learn ways to ensure you are able to heat your home as we approach the coldest months of the year.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Can Help You Pay Your Heating Bills or Your Rent
HEAP offers assistance in paying heating bills for residents who warm their homes using natural gas, electricity, oil, propane, or wood. HEAP can also help pay a tenant's rent if the tenant doesn't directly pay for heat.
Who is Eligible
Households with incomes up to $78,751 for a family of 4 are eligible. The program can pay several hundred dollars towards the heating or utility bills, depending on income. Those eligible for HEAP are also eligible for having their homes or apartments weatherized and the heating system repaired or replaced. For more information about these programs, visit ABCD’s weatherization assistance program click here and to learn more about ABCD’s heating system repair program, click here.
How to Apply
To see if you are eligible visit the ABCD’s website by clicking here and to make an appointment with HEAP, you can schedule an appointment online. In addition to Melrose residents, HEAP provides assistance to residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn. To contact HEAP, which is located at 18 Dartmouth Street in Malden, call (781) 322-6284.
Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Known commonly as Fuel Assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating bills.
Who is Eligible
Eligibility is based on household size and the gross (pre-taxed) annual income of every household member, 18 years of age or older. Household income cannot exceed 60% of the estimated median state income. For example, the income of a household of one person cannot exceed $46,437 and the income of a family of five cannot exceed $90,141.
How to Apply
Residents can contact their utility company to apply for an income-eligible rate that will provide a discount on your entire home energy bill. Homeowners and renters including households whose cost of heat is included in the rent can apply at the agency in their area. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program application is free. No fee is required to apply, and free help is available to complete applications. Beware of scams by people charging an “application fee” to help submit an application.
Additional Resources
If you are behind on utility bills, you can call your utility company and ask about the payment plans they provide. Utility companies offer several ways to assist customers in paying their overdue bills, such as:
- Flexible Payment Plans
- Balance Forgiveness Plans
If your household income is between 60 and 80 percent of the state median income, you may be able to receive help from the Good Neighbor Energy Fund.
If you are experiencing an immediate loss of heat, you can call the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175.