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Financial Assistance

This page contains information about utility assistance, discounted internet and phone bills, and local mutual aid resources. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to call my office at (617) 722-1555, email becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or request to open a constituent case with my team here.

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Utility Assistance 

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Department of Housing and Community Development Utility Assistance programs:

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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)/ Fuel Assistance

  • Provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating bills. If eligible, discounts are automatically given for electric bills for investor owned electric utilities, gas bills for investor-owned gas utilities, and telephone bills.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

  • Provides eligible households with full-scale home energy efficiency services. Typical weatherization activities include: air sealing to reduce infiltration, attic insulation, sidewall insulation, floor insulation, pipe and/or duct insulation, and limited energy related repairs.

Heating System Repair and Replacement Program (HEARTWAP)

  • Provides heating system repair and replacement services to low-income households. Services are primarily an emergency-based heating system repair program for eligible homeowners.

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Eligibility: 

  • Eligibility is based on a maximum gross annual income not to exceed 60% of the Estimated State Median Income. Households that are eligible for LIHEAP/ Fuel Assistance are also eligible for WAP and HEARTWAP services.

  • Priority of service is given to those households with elderly individuals, folks with disabilities, children (6 and under), and Native Americans.

 

How to Apply:

 

Eversource provides discounted rates on energy bills. To qualify, you must:

  • Meet financial eligibility requirements

  • Be a residential customer

  • Have a utility bill in your name

  • Receive one of the following benefits: LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance, SSI, MassHealth, EAEDC, Public of Subsidized Housing, TAFDC, Head Start or Veterans’ Service Benefits AND ​

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How to Apply:

 

National Grid provides low-income discount rates for qualifying customers. To qualify, you must:

  • Be a residential customer

  • Have a utility bill in your name

  • Receive an income below 200% of the federal poverty level

  • Receive one of the following benefits: LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance, SSI, MassHealth, EAEDC, Public of Subsidized Housing, TAFDC, Head Start or Veterans’ Service Benefits AND ​

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How to Apply: Apply online at https://www9.nationalgridus.com/non_html/OnDemand_R2_Application.pdf

 

Salvation Army's Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund

The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to any Massachusetts resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month’s energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance. 

 

Eligibility:

  • Massachusetts residents who are not eligible for state or federal energy assistance.

  • Income must fall between 60-80% of the state’s median income levels.

 

How to Apply:

  • Contact your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or Service Extension Unit: http://www.magoodneighbor.org/assistance.html

  • For more information, call Salvation Army at: 800-334-3047 (serving area codes 508, 617, 781, 978) or 800-262-1320 (serving area code 413)

 

Discounted Internet and Phone Bills

 

Lifeline Program 

Lifeline is a government benefit program that provides a monthly discount on one communications service from a certified Lifeline serve provider, including phone or internet services.

 

Eligibility:

  • There are two ways to qualify for the Lifeline program: income-based eligibility (household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines) or program-based eligibility (Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Certain Federally-Recognized/State Tribal Assistance Programs, and Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension benefit)

  • For more information on eligibility: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/

 

Apply online at  https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-discounted-communications-service-through-the-lifeline-program.


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Mutual Aid

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Mass Jobs with Justice's Mutual Aid Resource List 

Mass Jobs with Justice Emergency Relief Funds

Transgender Emergency Fund (TEF)   ​

Muslin American Society (MAS) Emergency Relief Effort 

Boston Queers for Mutual Aid (BQFMA)

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