BOSTON – Governor Baker and Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay today announced the release of over $13 million in federal funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), bringing the total fuel assistance funding awarded to Massachusetts in FY15 up to $144 million. The funding will be distributed to 22 local administering agencies that will allocate benefits to approximately 180,000 eligible families in need of assistance.
“In this especially cold and unprecedented winter for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, these funds will be important to seeing our families have the assistance they need to stay warm,” said Baker. “We will continue to work with the legislature to ensure Massachusetts’ vulnerable families have the proper heating resources available.”
“This funding comes at a critical time for Massachusetts residents who need a helping hand in heating their homes during these cold winter months,” said Kornegay.
The $13 million is the final 10 percent of the total funding allocated to Massachusetts’ LIHEAP from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In October 2014, HHS awarded Massachusetts a total of $131 million in fuel assistance for qualifying residents, representing 90 percent of the FY15 LIHEAP funding.
The energy and fuel assistance program provides funding to help eligible households pay for a portion of their heating bills. Eligibility for LIHEAP is determined based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member 18 years or older. The maximum income eligibility for LIHEAP is 60 percent of the estimated state median income.
New applicants are encouraged to apply for the program. LIHEAP agencies will be accepting applications until April 30. To find out if you are eligible to receive fuel benefits, please visit here.
