How do I apply for Healthy Families?
You can call for yourself or have a family/friend/worker call for you. We can be reached at 508-909-0061.

How do I qualify for Healthy Families?
You have to be 20 years old or under and pregnant or parenting for the first time (Moms and Dads!). At the time of the referral, your child must be under 1-year-old. Healthy Families works in all towns in Massachusetts.

What information do I need to provide to apply?
We only ask for your name, address, phone number and date of birth. We will not ask you for your Social Security card or health insurance information.

How long can Healthy Families work with me?
You can work with Healthy Families from the time you know you are pregnant until your first child turns three years old.

What happens at during a home visit?
During a home visit, we work with you to answer your questions about pregnancy or your baby, and we always do a fun activity with you and your child. We will tell you about upcoming groups and events, offer referrals, and will get the most up to date information about your baby's health and development. Each home visit is different and is designed around what you and your baby need!

Does Healthy Families offer groups?
We sure do! We offer parenting groups, family fun field trips, pregnancy/breastfeeding classes, and much more. Our parents help to plan all groups and provide the program with input on when and where to hold groups too.

Who is eligible to receive services from WCCC?

Answer:  Any parent living in the city of Worcester. 

 

How can WCCC help me and my family?

Answer:  We can connect you with helpful community resources and help you to advocate to receive the services you need.  We also provide parents with the opportunity to meet other parents with similar concerns/needs and work together to improve access to important community resources such as childcare and housing.

 

What are examples of some of the projects WCCC has undertaken?

• Creation of pocket-size, easy-to-use, mini-guides to Worcester Community resources for parents.
  
• Creation of Information Guides for parents and agency staff to improve access to these services: Child Care, Mental Health, Worcester Public Schools, Support Group
  
• New Bus Service Campaign - Successful effort to bring new bus service to Lakeside for residents to go to PriceChopper weekly.
• Successful parent meetings with such agencies as the Social Security Administration, the MA Department of Social Services and Workforce Central to discuss the concerns for parents and find out the best ways to access helpful services through those organizations.
• Woodland/Claremont Academy School Neighborhood Task Force:  Collaboration with Councilor Barbara Haller to convene group to address needs of families whose children attend the ALL school located in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester
• Housing: Training held in collaboration with CMHA & DTA to train providers on how to refer families to housing services
• Collaborative project with DTA implemented to bring thecommunity together to improve understanding of and assist families in accessing DTA services such as Job Training, and Childcare resources.  Large meeting/workshop held on topic of Job Training/Employment resources.  The Goal of this Project was to put all providers "on the same page" to enable us to better coach local families on how to access employment and training resources.
• Successful workshop on parental custody rights held for 80 attendees in collaboration with the MA Department of Social Services Worcester Area Office, the Mass Department of Revenue, the Central MA Father’s and Family Network and Legal Assistance Corp.
• Creation and posting of 86 placards on all WRTA buses for full a year with message to encourage local parents to"‘get help" if they are feeling stressed and to provide them with info regarding The Parents Stress Line. 
• Training for 15 WCCC parents on advocacy and leadership skills in collaboration with the Central MA Center for Health Communities, Family Ties and Edward Street Services.
• Six WCCC parents participated in successful ground-breaking trainings (five in all) of DSS Social Workers on strength based practices when working with parents.  These trainings were planned by the Strength Based Practices Task Force at the Area Office in collaboration with Worcester Communities of Care and WCCC.
• And more!

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WHAT IS FUEL ASSISTANCE?

Fuel assistance is a federally funded program to help low income households with their heating bills.

This program begins each fall and ends early spring of each year.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUEL ASSISTANCE?

Any low-income household whose gross yearly income falls at or below the income guidelines may be eligible. (SEE GUIDELINES FOR THIS WINTER SEASON 2007 THROUGH 20087.)

Homeowners and tenants are both eligible to receive fuel assistance.  All heating types are included in the fuel assistance program, even households who have heat included in rent.

 

ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?

YES!!

If you are renting an apartment that is state or federally subsidized (section 8, 707, etc.) and the cost of your heat is included in the rental payment you may not be considered eligible for the fuel assistance program.

 

SOME SUBSIDIES MAY BE ELIGIBLE.  MUST HAVE LEASE AGREEMENT TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY

 

DO I GET A DISCOUNT ON MY HEATING BILL?

If you are eligible for fuel assistance and fall within the income category used by the investor owned utility companies, you may be eligible for a discount.  

The investor owned gas and electric companies offer discounts along with the lifeline discount offered by the telephone company.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISCOUNT INCLUDE:

1. The heating account must be in the name of the person listed as head of household on the fuel assistance application. If the bill is in someone else’s name the utility company will not offer you the discount rate.
2. Your gross yearly household income must fall within  200% of the poverty level.  For a family of four this would be at or below $ 41,300.  For a household of  one this  would have to be at or below $ 20,420.
3. Fuel assistance will automatically notify the utilities if you are found to be eligible for the discount.

PLEASE NOTE:
Discounts are not offered by delivered fuel companies.  i.e. oil, propane, wood, etc.
Discounts are also not available for customers with municipal owned utility companies.

SHOULD I PAY ANYTHING ON MY HEATING BILL IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE?
YES!!!

You should always attempt to make payments on your bill, even if you are not able to pay the full amount.  Fuel Assistance encourages you to maintain a good credit rating with your heating company.  This is important because if you find yourself unable to pay your entire bill, or if you receive shut off notices, our staff will not be able to negotiate on your behalf to keep your service on if your payment history is not good.

 

WHAT IS THE CONSUMPTION BENEFIT?

You may be eligible for an additional benefit if the cost of heat for your home over the last 12 months is high and exceeds the threshold set for your heating source.

The consumption threshold and benefit amount is determined by our funding source and is subject to change each year.  The thresholds and benefit levels will be announced when the program begins.

 

CITIES/TOWNS SERVED: Worcester, Auburn, Boylston, West Boylston, Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton,  Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, Warren.

 

INCOME GUIDELINES 

HOUSEHOLD SIZE	MAXIMUM GROSS ANNUAL INCOME
1	$20,420
2	$27,380
3	$34,340
4	$41,300
5	$48,260
6	$55,220
7	$62,180
8	$69,140

IF I THINK I AM ELIGIBLE FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE, HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM?

Based on the income guidelines listed above, if you believe you may be eligible for fuel assistance you may walk into the office located at 484 Main Street 1st floor Worcester, MA 01608.  If you live in a surrounding town covered by our service area you may call the Worcester office at 508 754-1176 and schedule an appointment at one of our four outreach locations in SOUTHBRIDGE, SPENCER, WEBSTER, OR WARREN. 

 

WHEN YOU APPLY FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE YOU MUST PROVIDE THE APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.

1. A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT HEATING BILL.
2. A PICTURE I.D. FOR THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
3. CURRENT INCOME FOR THE PAST 30 DAYS. (4 CONSECUTIVE PAYSTUBS FOR ANY HOUSEHOLD MEMBER 18 AND OVER IF YOU ARE PAID WEEKLY.
4. IF YOU HAVE A RENTAL SUBSIDY PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR LEASE AGREEMENT  

                                             

IF YOU ARE ON A FIXED INCOME, PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR LAST CHECK OR PRINT OUT FROM THE SOURCE (SOCIAL SECURITY-DISABILITY – SSI etc.)

1. IF YOU RECEIVE A PENSIONS- PLEASE A PROVIDE CHECK STUB SHOWING THE GROSS AMOUNT
2. IF YOU RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT PLEASE PROVIDE COPIES OF CANCELLED CHECKS OR STUBS FROM D.O.R.
3. IF YOU RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION OR WORKERS COMPENSATION PLEASE PROVIDE THE THREE MOST RECENT STUBS.
4. IF YOU OWN A MULTI-FAMILY HOME PLEASE PROVIDE RENT RECEIPTS FOR YOUR TENANTS, YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL, HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, WATER/SEWER BILL, MORTGAGE INTEREST STATEMENT OR CURRENT COPY OF FEDERAL TAXES WITH COMPLETE SCHEDULE E.  TAXES MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED.
5. IF YOU RECEIVE INTEREST INCOME OF $ 100.00 OR MORE YOU MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF THE SOURCE OF THAT INTERST INCOME.
6. IF YOU ARE SELF-EMPLOYED PLEASE PROVIDE A SIGNED COPY OF THE PRIOR YEARS. ENTIRE TAX RETURNS WITH ALL ATTACHMENTS.

 

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS?

Once you are determined eligible for fuel assistance you will be mailed notification of your benefit level or you may call the automated phone system at (508) 754-7281. You will need to know your social security number to access information concerning your application.  The automated phone service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is designed to tell you the amount of your benefit, and list the payments made to your heating account.

PLEASE NOTE: THE PAYMENTS LISTED MAY NOT SHOW UP ON YOUR HEATING BILL IMMEDIATELY

IMPORTANT!!!

Fuel assistance can only pay for the cost of the heat you actually use for the winter months. If the cost of heating your home is less than your benefit amount, we can only pay that amount. Unused benefit amounts are returned to the funding source.