Utility and energy bill assistance Massachusetts

Utility, energy and heating bill assistance programs Massachusetts

Low income customers in Massachusetts can get financial assistance or grants for paying utility as well as heating bills. In addition, there are a number of discounts offered to qualified customers on their energy bills, including payment plans directly from utility or gas companies. Find help in Massachusetts, including even free heating oil, propane, or natural gas assistance programs.

Help with energy, heating, and electric bills from utility companies in Massachusetts

Utility, energy and heating bill assistance programs Massachusetts.

Government programs, including LIHEAP and free weatherization in Massachusetts are available as well as financial aid from charities or energy providers. Below you will find information on the various assistance programs offered by utility companies across Massachusetts.

Help with energy, heating, and electric bills from utility companies in Massachusetts Berkshire Gas – Another option is the Residential Arrearage Management Program (RAMP). This program provides financial assistance and cash grants to help eligible low to moderate income customers who currently have outstanding heating bills in arrears.

Eligible low-income customers may qualify for forgiveness of past due bills for natural gas service, so the bills are basically eliminated.

Program participants receive credits on their utility bills to their past due account up to a lifetime maximum of $3,000. This will only occur once all program requirements have been met.

Contact your local Community Action Council to apply for help or to learn more. Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC), North Adams 413-663-3014, Great Barrington 413-528-1947, Greenfield 413-774-2318, Amherst 413-774-2310, Pittsfield 413-445-5671 Berkshire Gas

– The company can provide Discounted Residential Rates. Basically in effect discounted non-heating and heating delivery charges are available to help low-income customers who qualify for any means-tested state of Massachusetts or government/public assistance programs.

Call 1-800-292-5012 Berkshire Gas runs its own Energy Efficiency Program. Heating customers of this utility company are eligible for 100% of the installed cost of the following energy-saving measures: Instrumented Air Sealing, Wall Insulation, Duct Insulation, Crawl Space Insulation, Floor and Attic Insulation, Programmable Thermostats and/or Pipe Insulation.

Dial 1-800-944-3212. Berkshire Gas - Several other payment plans and government assistance programs are offered for low income families, seniors, and people who live on a fixed income.

More on Berkshire gas assistance programs Citizens Energy / Distrigas runs for its customers the Heat Assistance Program (CEDHAP). This assistance program provides a $150 utility or heating bill credit to eligible households who heat their homes or apartments with natural gas.

The program is run by Citizens Energy and it is funded by Distrigas. Call 1-866-427-9918. Columbia Gas

Government low income energy bill assistance programs

- This energy company operates in several states, including Massachusetts. One of the main programs is the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, which is offered by the Salvation Army. Other financial assistance and grants can be provided by the government from LIHEAP and weatherization.

Click here for more details. Essex County Gas Company – They may be able to provide a discount on energy bills. Up to a twenty percent discount is offered. Residential heating rate will change from R-03 to R-04. Secondary users (non-heat) will change from R-01 to R-02. Eversource (formerly NSTAR)

– A free energy saving consultation may be offered to low income and customers who are currently receiving a NSTAR Discount Rate. The consultation may even include the installation of conservation measures and refrigerator metering, among other services. If you think you may be able to qualify for this program and would like more information on how to get help, please contact your local Community Action or Heating Assistance Program in your town or city.

Eversource – A program known as R2 Discount Rate is available for Massachusetts customers. It will provide them with a discount rate for customers who receive certain government means-tested benefits or who qualify for government fuel assistance programs.

Call 866-861-6225 or 877-963-2632 to apply or learn more. Eversource - They also provide grants, discounts and payment plans for paying bills. Learn more on financial help with Eversource bills Heating Oil - Find programs that can either provide free heating oil , or you can learn about heating oil buying networks which can provide low cost fuel.

Programs for heating bills - The demand for assistance during the fall, winter, and spring months is very high. Low income families and the elderly in Massachusetts have access to a number of public and private resources, cash grants, and conservation programs.

More Massachusetts heating bill assistance KeySpan Energy Delivery

– For existing customers who receive the R32 and R4 discount rate they may also be able to receive free weatherization services. An extensive amount of aid may be able to be provided. For example a renter or homeowner may be able qualify for up to $4,500 in cash grants to be applied to weatherization services.

The exact types of services offered can include a free energy audit; attic, floor and wall insulation; air sealing; heating system replacement and repairs, and more. Call your local Community Action Agency to apply for help.

KeySpan Energy Delivery.

Another program known as On Track currently works with 350 low-income 1-2 family heating customers. These customers are currently receiving public government assistance and the program can help them resolve financial difficulties and hardships.

Each participant in the On track program receives both a financial and energy home study kit that includes audio tapes and work books and individualized customer services tools like: household financial analysis, information on how to develop an affordable payment plan for past due and future energy bills.

Customers can also get information as well as direct referrals to financial assistance programs and non-profit organizations, assistance with applications for government and non-profit benefits and support groups.

In addition to those components many customers in the program will also become eligible for bill forgiveness up to $400 on their monthly heating or energy bill. Dial 1-800-503-5172 KeySpan Energy Delivery

has programs for customers in Boston, Essex and Colonial Gas Companies. Individuals may receive a discount on their heating or utility bills if they are a low-income residential customer. However the customer must also participate in the following public government assistance programs.

Food Stamps, SSI, AFDC, Medicaid, E.A.E.D.C, Refugee Resettlement, Fuel and Heating Bill Assistance or Massachusetts Veterans Service Benefits. Call Keyspan and ask about the discount. Littleton Electric Light Department – Some customers may qualify for the Senior Citizen and Disabled Customer Discounts.

What this program does is it waives the base customer charge for senior citizens (age 62 and over) and handicapped persons in the company’s service area. Dial 978-486-3104

Massachusetts Electric, which can be reached at 1-800-322-3223, offers qualified customers a monthly discount on their utility bills. The assistance is available to qualified customers who have an income at or below 200% of the federal government poverty level and who receive financial assistance or cash grants from certain public or government benefit programs.

Middleborough Gas and Electric Department offers elderly customers a Senior Discount. This discount is for customers who are 60 years of age and older. These individuals can apply for an additional 5% senior discount on their gas bills, which will be in addition to the 10% prompt payment discount that is provided to a customer when the energy bill is paid within 10 days and the account is current.

Call 508-947-1371 Nantucket Electric – This energy company offers customers a monthly discount that have a household income that is considered low income and who receive assistance from federal or state of Massachusetts assistance programs.

Dial 1-800-322-3223 National Grid

- They operate in many northeastern states, including Massachusetts. If you are struggling with paying your utility bill, call them to learn about options available to you. They can provide qualifed customers with payment plans, help people pay older energy bills, offer weatherization, and much more.

National Grid can also help Massachusetts families apply for government programs such as LIHEAP. Read more

National Grid utility assistance North Attleborough Electric Department

– A discount rate is available for residential customers from the Residential Assistance A 5. The reduced bill is available to customers upon verification of a customer’s receipt of any means tested government program or public benefit.

Or if the customer is determined to be eligible for the federal government low income home energy assistance program the discount can be provided. To learn more or to apply for help call 508-643-6300 or dial toll free 1-800-394-2662.

NUStart has an arrearage management program can help with older unpaid energy bills. The program was created to help customers pay their current and past electric bills. WMECO will help you develop a monthly budget to get back on track.

Each month the customer will need to make a timely payment, and when they do they will earn credits to pay off your outstanding energy bill and WMECO will take a portion of what you owe off your old balance on past unpaid bills. The customer must have a