Fuel AssistanceFuel Assistance, also know as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is a federally funded program to help low-income households with their heating bills. The program begins in the fall and ends early spring of each year. All heating types may be eligible for assistance: oil, propane, kerosene, cord wood, wood pellets, all utilities, and even some households that have heat included in their rent.

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 will only pay that amount. For example, if you are eligible for $400 and the heating bills submitted by your heating company total only $350 then the $50 left over would be returned to our funding source.

Any low-income household whose gross yearly income falls at or below the income guidelines may be eligible. Homeowners and tenants are both eligible to receive fuel assistance.

Discount

If you are eligible for fuel assistance and fall within the income category used by the utility companies, you may be eligible for a discount. The gas and electric companies offer discounts along with the lifeline discount offered by the telephone company. Fuel assistance will automatically notify the utilities if you are found to be eligible.

Requirements for the Discount

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.

Your gross yearly household income must fall within 60% of the state median income.  For a family of four, this would be at or below $56,011.  For a household of one, this would be at or below $29,126.

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.

Consumption Benifit

You may be eligible for an additional benefit if the cost of heat for your home over the last 12 months 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. Consumption threshold amounts and benefit levels are announced when the fuel program begins.

Once you are determined eligible for fuel assistance, you will be mailed a 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 can tell you the amount of your benefit, as well as list the payments made to your heating account.

Important: The payments listed may not show up on your heating bill immediately. 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 so our staff will be able to negotiate on your behalf to keep your service on if you receive shut off notices.

Documents Needed for the Application (where it applies)

• A copy of your current heating bill
• Identification for all household members
• A picture ID for the head of household
• Current GROSS income from all sources and all household members 18 and over for the past 30 days (4 consecutive pay stubs if paid weekly or 2 if paid bi-weekly)
• Children 18 years and over who are students must provide a letter from the school indicating they are a full time student currently enrolled in school
• If over 18 and claiming no income must sign a no-income statement (provided at office). If you claimed no income for more than a year you must supply a wage statement from the Social Security office
• Current tenant profile if you have a rental subsidy
• A copy of your last check or print-out if receiving fixed income (Social Security, Disability, SSI, etc.)
• Check stub, letter from pension co. or 1099 document received at the end of the year from pensions showing current gross amount. BANK STATEMENT SHOWING DIRECT DEPOSITS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
• If receiving child support, must provide copies of four current payments or court order with current copy of check or stub. Or, notarized statement from ex-spouse stating amount and frequency of payments
• Four most recent stubs from unemployment or workers compensation
• Documentation for the source of Interest Income of over $100 or more
• If self-employed, a signed copy of prior years entire tax returns with all attachments. If self-prepared the signature page must be notarized
• If you own a multi-family home:
  Rent receipts for your tenants, plus
  Property Tax bill, plus
  Homeowners insurance, plus
  Water/Sewer bill, plus
  Mortgage interest statement.
  or
  Current signed copy of entire Federal Tax returns, including Schedule E

Click to Check Your Eligibility

For More Information Contact

If you believe you could be eligible for fuel assistance based on the income guidelines listed above, you may visit the office located at 484 Main Street 2nd floor, Worcester, MA. Hours for the Worcester office are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. 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 or e-mail liheap@wcac.net.

Please click here to view the Fuel Assistance FAQs.