WHAT IS FUEL ASSISTANCE?
Fuel assistance is a Federal program to help low-income families pay their heating bills during the winter. The program was started so that low-income people would not have to choose between heating their homes or buying food or other things they need. The official name of the program is the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE?
Most low-income families and individuals are eligible for fuel assistance during the heating season, as long as their total income is within the income limits.
- You may be a U.S. citizen or an immigrant.
- You may be a homeowner or a renter.
- You may pay for your own heat, or it can be included in your rent.
- You may use any type of heating fuel (gas, oil, electricity, propane, etc.)
NOTE: Some renters living in subsidized housing (such as Section 8 housing) with heat included in the rent are not eligible for fuel assistance. Check with your local fuel assistance agency if you are in this situation.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR FUEL ASSISTANCE?
You should apply for fuel assistance by contacting PACE at (508)999-9920 or visiting them on the web at: http://www.paceinfo.org. You may also call the Massachusetts Heat Line toll free at 1-800-632-8175.
A fuel assistance staff member will help you with your application and answer any questions you have about the program.
WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED?
You will need the following information and documents to apply for fuel assistance:
Household information:
- Names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers of all household members
- Picture ID for the head of the household
- Proof of address
Income information:
You need to provide proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members who are 18 or older Depending on your type of income, this may include:
- pay stubs
- copies of pension checks
- copies of social security checks or print-outs
- copies of disability or SSI checks or print-outs
- unemployment or workers’ compensation stubs
- bank interest statements
- copies of child support checks
- copies of print-outs or facsimiles from Welfare
- if self-employed, entire copy of your most recent tax return – signed and dated
- if you have rental income, a copy of your most recent tax return or proof of rental income and expenses
Utility information:
- copy of current heating bill showing the name on the account, the account number, service address, rate, and amount
- if you rent your home and heat is included in your rent, please provide your landlord’s name, address, and phone number
- if you live in subsidized housing (such as Section 8), a copy of your lease
- proof of last year’s heating costs, to see if you qualify for the high energy benefit
- names of your electric, gas, and telephone companies and your account numbers
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIND OUT IF I AM ELIGIBLE?
If you bring all of the needed documents with you when you apply, you will find out if you are eligible for the fuel assistance in approximately 4 – 6 weeks. If you do not have all of your proofs when you apply, the process will take longer. Once you have been approved, you will get a written notice of your benefit level.
