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Editor’s note: An earlier version of this guide was published by The New Bedford Light on Dec. 19, 2024.
Low-income households in Greater New Bedford can now apply for heating assistance for the upcoming winter season. But benefits are lower this year, and applications could be delayed because of the federal government shutdown.
The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, can help pay part of your heating bill during the colder months. The local nonprofit PACE oversees the program for residents of New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester.
Have questions about how to navigate life in New Bedford? Ask us here and our reporters will look into it for you.
HEAP and some other programs at PACE depend on federal funding.
PACE Executive Director Pam Kuechler said PACE’s federally funded programs are still running despite the federal shutdown.
“We’re open for business,” she said. “People shouldn’t feel like they can’t come through our doors.”
But applications might be processed more slowly during the shutdown, Kuechler says. Much of the federal government has stopped operating because Congress failed to pass a funding bill before the end of the fiscal year in September. Senate Democrats are blocking the bill because it doesn’t extend health care subsidies.
For now, the state has limited funding because of the government shutdown and will prioritize emergency applications until Congress passes a spending bill, said a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, which oversees the HEAP program for the state. An emergency could include having less than a three days’ supply of fuel or a termination notice from Eversource.
That’s the situation for now. Things could change when Congress passes spending legislation. President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, released earlier this year, calls for slashing funding for PACE’s programs by half, The Light previously reported.
If the next budget follows Trump’s proposal, federal HEAP funding would be eliminated, impacting more than 10,000 local households.
”Our programs are critical safety nets for folks, so we’re concerned that will be the case, but we’re hopeful that it won’t be,” Kuechler said.
How much are the HEAP benefits this year?
This season, HEAP will pay up to a total of $500 toward eligible households’ utility bills, or up to $600 for fuel such as heating oil, from November to April. The program is meant to supplement heating costs, not cover them completely.
That’s lower than last year’s maximum benefits, which were $850 for utility bills and $1,050 for fuel. But the benefits could rise after the government shutdown ends, if Congress decides to preserve the HEAP program.
The state normally sets benefits at low levels at the start of the season and increases them once the federal government sets funding levels for the year, according to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
The application period is open through April. No matter when you apply or whether you have already paid your heating bills, you can receive assistance that covers your costs dating back to November.
“There’s a lot of other perks to the program besides paying the bill,” Stubbs said.
By applying for HEAP, you may qualify for Eversource’s reduced rates for low-income households. You could also be eligible for assistance to help you weatherize your home and replace or repair inefficient appliances.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is based on family size and gross income — that’s your income before taxes are taken out, including wages and benefits like Social Security.
Households with gross income less than 60% of the state’s median income are eligible. For example, a family of three must have gross income less than $83,641 to qualify.
It doesn’t matter whether you own or rent your home. Even if heat is covered as part of your rent, you may still be eligible if you pay more than 30% of your income toward housing.
Applicants at risk of losing access to heat are prioritized.
How do I apply?
PACE reviews applications on a rolling, first-come-first-serve basis during the heating season.
You can submit your application on PACE’s website. If you need help, you can call its office at 508-525-4271 or visit in-person at 255 Union St. in New Bedford. PACE is encouraging applicants to apply online because of limited staff.
To show that you qualify, you will need identification and documents showing proof of citizenship, residence, and income. Here are some examples of what to bring:
- Identification: A photo ID, such as a driver’s license, for the head of household.
- Citizenship: A birth certificate, passport, or Social Security card for all members of the household.
- Residence: A lease, rent receipt, or mortgage statement.
- Income: A pay stub showing the last four weeks of income, and benefit award letters for public programs such as Social Security, veterans benefits, and unemployment.
If every member of your household already receives benefits from the Department of Transitional Assistance, PACE may be able to verify some of this information through the agency.
The process requires some patience, Stubbs said. Her office’s small staff reviews thousands of applications each season, so it can take four weeks or longer to receive a response — and processing times are longer right now because of the government shutdown. If the response isn’t what you expected, you can submit an appeal to have them take another look at your application.
How can I reduce my heating bill without assistance?
You can find guides to help you reduce your energy usage on the U.S. Department of Energy and MassSave websites. Here are their top tips:
Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. Turn it even lower at night and when you leave home. Open your curtains to let sunlight in during the day, and close them to insulate your windows from the cold at night.
Keep your heating system in good repair. Have it serviced by a professional every two years and check air filters monthly.
Weatherize your home to keep the warm air inside. The Department of Energy and MassSave have lots of tips for this, including sealing up leaks and covering drafty windows. See their guides for more information.
MassSave offers free and discounted supplies to make homes more energy-efficient, such as smart thermostats and weatherization kits. The offerings include renter-friendly insulation to seal gaps around doors and windows. You can order supplies using the MassSave online marketplace.
Email Grace Ferguson at gferguson@newbedfordlight.org.
Sending a shout out of appreciation to the everyone at Pace that are helping the residents of New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester.
Will non citizens qualify?
Thanks, always, to NB Light for providing clear, accurate, and up-to-date information about things that greatly affect us.