Need Home Heating Help In MA? LIHEAP Now Available

MASSACHUSETTS — Temperatures dropped into the 20s in many parts of Massachusetts Thursday morning, and that means it's time to turn on the heat.

It also means the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now available for residents who need help paying utility bills this winter. The program is open to renters and homeowners whose households earn below certain thresholds — generally about 60 percent of the median state income, depending on the size of the household. Each household may be eligible for assistance up to $1,000 over the winter months.

Residents interested in seeing if they qualify can visit the website www.heatinghelpMA.org to apply. Heating assistance is provided through local agencies and overseen by the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

The state's biggest electric and natural gas utilities, Eversource and National Grid, are planning rate increases this winter as usual, but not as drastic as winter 2022-23.

National Grid has increased its electric rates to 18.213 cents per kilowatt-hour starting. That's about a 4 cent increase compared to current summer electricity supply rates. In November 2022, National Grid increased its winter basic supply rates to an eye-popping than 33 cents per kilowatt-hour. Natural gas rates will also rise this winter compared to summer rates.

The LIHEAP help period opened Nov. 1 and remains open through April 30, 2024.