Home Energy Assistance Applications on the Rise this Year
Lisa Loo at her desk at the Bellingham Senior Center works on applications for heating assistance. “Some people have to decide between paying for heat and paying for food.” Raeleen Gallivan (not shown) is the heating assistance contact at the Franklin Senior Center.
By David Dunbar
Need assistance with your winter heating bills? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) from the state can help qualifying homeowners with fuel bills for oil, gas, propane, electric, and more.
“No resident should have to worry about heating their home during the winter,” said Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus. “With high costs continuing to strain household finances, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is more critical than ever. We urge anyone in need of heating assistance to explore their eligibility by applying online or visiting the nearest administering agency. Please share this valuable information with loved ones or neighbors who could benefit from this support during the colder months.”
Administering agencies include the Senior Centers in Bellingham and Franklin.
“Last year I assisted with 67 fuel assistance applications,” says Raeleen Gallivan, Social Services Coordinator at the Franklin Senior Center. “The number of people that apply for fuel assistance has significantly increased due to the rise in the cost of living. Unfortunately, I am seeing a lot of landlords increase rent, which makes it harder for people to afford paying their winter heating bills. People are looking for ways to save money. Most of the people that I help worry about having enough funds to pay their bills. It is especially hard for seniors during the winter months being on a fixed income.”
In Bellingham, at the Senior Center, Lisa Loo reports that she has 100 re-certifications for people who were approved last year. “And I will probably process 20 to 50 new applications this year.”
Loo, the Center’s Social Services Coordinator, notes that the numbers vary “because financial situations change.” A recertification takes about 20 minutes; a new application takes about 45 minutes.
Eligibility is determined by several factors, including household size and the combined gross annual income of residents 18 and older. Qualifying households, including those with the cost of heat included in the rent, can receive assistance for all heating sources, including oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood and coal. Households do not need to be on public assistance or have unpaid heating bills to qualify.
“There have been no major changes so far this year,” explains Gallivan in Franklin. “People who would like to apply can go online (selfhelpinc.org) and apply on the portal or contact Self-Help INC. and apply over the phone by calling (508) 588-5440. Franklin residents can call the Senior Center to schedule an appointment to apply. I do an eligibility screening over the phone and provide a list of documents that are needed for the application.”
In Bellingham, Loo adds, “However, there have been some improvements to eliminate long delays from last year. It took six to 12 weeks from first contact to getting results.”
Loo worked with an 84-year-old Bellingham resident who worried about a smell leaking out of her heating system. “She called at the end of September, and it took almost eight weeks to resolve. But her entire heating system was replaced.”
“People will call and say they are desperate because their oil tank is empty,” says Loo. “Don’t wait!”
In the 2023/2024 HEAP season, 149,778 households were served with an average benefit of $1,050 per household, according to the state.
And this year the HEAP portal went live at 12:01 a.m. October 1st, and so far, more than 43,000 applications have been received.
Qualifying households, including those with the cost of heat included in the rent, can receive assistance. This upcoming season a family of four earning up to $94,608 may be eligible for HEAP. Benefits do not need to be repaid, and households do not need to be on public assistance or have unpaid heating bills to qualify. HEAP automatically qualifies eligible households to receive monthly discounts on their investor owned-utility electric and natural gas bills. Heat sources can include oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood and coal.
“Every person that I help is appreciative of the HEAP program,” according to Gallivan. “I always get a big smile and a thank you for helping them apply. Worrying about bills affects emotional wellbeing. My job is to bring the resources to the community to help them continue to be self-sufficient and live their best life.”
How does helping people make Loo feel? “It’s very rewarding. Especially because I can help someone say warm during the winter.”