Heating Assistance Programs Available

Fitchburg, MA

Unitil Corporation, (Unitil.com), a provider of gas and electricity to customers throughout New England, is advising all customers to be aware of the many fuel assistance programs that will help reduce heating costs this winter.

That was the message shared Wednesday with nonprofit and community leaders who participated in an energy assistance forum sponsored by Unitil and co-hosted with United Way of North Central Massachusetts in partnership with Making Opportunity Count.

"We truly value the nonprofit agencies attendance and participation in this annual meeting," said Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O'Meara. "They are vital in getting the word out to those who may qualify for assistance, particularly seniors and those on fixed income."

Edward Campbell, quality assurance coordinator from Making Opportunity Count, said a family of four with a household income of $94,608 or less qualifies for assistance. For a single person, the income figure is $49,196. The one-time benefit, depending on income and housing type, generally ranges from $120 to $600. Making Opportunity Count aids in managing the Federal Fuel Assistance program for the region.

According to Campbell, homeowners and renters can apply for assistance beginning November 1. Residents can learn more about qualification guidelines for fuel assistance by reaching out to Making Opportunity Count in Fitchburg at (978) 342-4520.

Unitil Credit Manager Justin Stearns reviewed with attendees the utility company's budget billing program, which makes monthly utility bills more affordable by leveling out higher seasonal energy bills, which are instead spread out throughout the year.

In addition, customers may qualify for a discount rate on natural gas or electricity, depending on household size and income. According to Stearns, the discount rate for electric customers is 40 percent while the natural gas discount stands at 25 percent. Unitil works with Making Opportunity Count to approve customers for the discount rate as well as other agencies that provide public benefits.

"In many cases, the actual discount which applies to 12 months of billing is often greater than the one-time Federal payment, so that is why I encourage households who qualify to apply for the benefit," Stearns said.

Customers who qualify for the discounted rate may also qualify for the Arrearage Management Program. If a customer has an overdue balance of $300 and is 60 or more days past due for their gas and/or electric service, they may qualify to enter into the program. Once enrolled, if a customer commits to paying their current utility budgeted bills on time going forward, they may be
eligible for up to $4,800 in relief per service, per year on their outstanding balances.

Separately, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund also provides an additional one-time payment for heating assistance as long as the household income is between 60 to 80 percent of the state median. According to Stearns, the income limits are $49,197 to $65,595 for an individual and $94,609 to $126,144 for a family of four.

Unitil's Kevin Parse reviewed energy saving programs that included Mass Save's energy efficiency programs, including income-based programs that provide no-cost or discounted energy efficiency services.

The Enhanced Residential Program, for those with a household of four members and incomes between $94,609 and $126,144, offers no-cost insulation improvements and enhanced heat pump rebates.

The Income Eligible Program is for a household with four members whose combined income is less than $94,608, or for a single person less than $49,196. Applicants may qualify for no-cost insulation, replacement of heating systems, air-sealing upgrades and energy efficient appliances such as clothes dryers, refrigerators, freezers, heating systems, dehumidifiers and window AC units.

Parse encouraged residents to visit masssave.com to complete the easy, no-cost income verification online, or to call 1-866-537-SAVE (7267) to learn more. For more information on qualifying for the Income Eligible Program, homeowners and renters should contact Making Opportunity Count in Fitchburg.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts, which takes on the region's most pressing health and human services challenges through diverse initiatives focused on creating opportunities for better lives for all, and Unitil have hosted the annual event for over 20 years.

Photo Captions:

• Unitil's Kevin Parse reviews heating assistance programs for the nonprofit community at its annual heating forum held Wednesday at Great Wolf Lodge, Fitchburg, Mass. The event was sponsored by Unitil and United Way of North Central Massachusetts.
• Unitil's Justin Stearns and John DiNapoli (left and right) and Kory Eng, United Way of North Central Massachusetts, at a forum held Wednesday at Great Wolf Lodge, Fitchburg, Mass., to review heating assistance programs for the nonprofit community. The event was sponsored by Unitil and United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

About United Way of North Central Massachusetts:

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.