Massachusetts Heating Assistance Applications Open Oct. 1
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작성자 한새벽 기자 작성일본문
(Boston=Boston Korea) Reporter Sae-byeok Han = Online applications for the 2026-2027 heating assistance program, which helps Massachusetts residents reduce their winter heating costs, opened on October 1. The program covers heating costs incurred from November 1 of this year through April 30 of next year.
Known federally as LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), the program is called the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in Massachusetts, dropping the "low income" designation. Using federal funding, it helps qualifying households pay a portion of their winter heating bills.
Eligibility is determined based on household size and total household income. The income limit is set at 60% of Massachusetts' median income by household size. For the 2026-2027 season, households qualify if their annual income is below $53,585 for one person, $70,073 for two people, or $103,049 for four people. In addition to income, the program evaluates additional requirements such as housing type to determine eligibility. Both homeowners and renters can apply for heating assistance. Households can receive assistance even if heating costs are included in rent, as long as they live in rental housing that does not receive housing subsidies. Residents of subsidized housing may have different eligibility and benefit amounts depending on their housing conditions. Eligible heating sources include heating oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, and wood. For households that pay heating bills directly to suppliers, approved benefits are typically paid directly to those companies. The program does not cover the entire winter heating bill but provides assistance up to a set limit for each household.
According to the fiscal year 2027 benefit schedule posted by the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP), base benefits for homeowners and non-subsidized renters range from $430 to $600 for households using delivered fuels such as heating oil and propane, and $355 to $500 for households using gas and electricity or with heat included in rent. Actual benefit amounts vary based on income, heating source, and housing type. The schedule is dated June 22, and additional benefits for households with high heating costs are still listed as to be determined.
Applications can be submitted online at toapply.org/MassHEAP. Residents who have difficulty using the online system can contact their local agency to schedule an application consultation. Even those who received assistance last year must requalify this year; previous recipients can submit a renewal application received by mail along with current income documentation, or renew online.
Applicants should prepare recent heating bills, household member identification documents, a photo ID for the household representative, and proof of income for the past 30 days. Social Security or pension recipients need documentation showing payment amounts, and self-employed individuals may be asked for additional documents such as the previous year's tax return. Applications and assistance with completing forms are free.
Areas with significant Korean populations such as Lexington, Burlington, Belmont, Waltham, and Watertown are served by Community Teamwork; the contact number is 978-459-6161. Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton can contact the Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) at 617-357-6012. Local agencies for other areas can be found on the MASSCAP heating assistance information page.
Households approved for HEAP may also qualify for other energy assistance programs such as electricity and gas bill discounts, home weatherization improvements, and heating equipment repair and replacement assistance. Households in emergency situations such as running out of heating fuel or service disconnection should immediately contact their local agency to report the emergency rather than waiting for application results.
Household Size / Pre-tax Annual Income Limit
1 person / $53,585
2 people / $70,073
3 people / $86,561
4 people / $103,049
5 people / $119,536
6 people / $136,024
Source: FY2027 HEAP Income and Benefit Schedule.
[email protected]
Known federally as LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), the program is called the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in Massachusetts, dropping the "low income" designation. Using federal funding, it helps qualifying households pay a portion of their winter heating bills.
Eligibility is determined based on household size and total household income. The income limit is set at 60% of Massachusetts' median income by household size. For the 2026-2027 season, households qualify if their annual income is below $53,585 for one person, $70,073 for two people, or $103,049 for four people. In addition to income, the program evaluates additional requirements such as housing type to determine eligibility. Both homeowners and renters can apply for heating assistance. Households can receive assistance even if heating costs are included in rent, as long as they live in rental housing that does not receive housing subsidies. Residents of subsidized housing may have different eligibility and benefit amounts depending on their housing conditions. Eligible heating sources include heating oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, and wood. For households that pay heating bills directly to suppliers, approved benefits are typically paid directly to those companies. The program does not cover the entire winter heating bill but provides assistance up to a set limit for each household.
According to the fiscal year 2027 benefit schedule posted by the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP), base benefits for homeowners and non-subsidized renters range from $430 to $600 for households using delivered fuels such as heating oil and propane, and $355 to $500 for households using gas and electricity or with heat included in rent. Actual benefit amounts vary based on income, heating source, and housing type. The schedule is dated June 22, and additional benefits for households with high heating costs are still listed as to be determined.
Applications can be submitted online at toapply.org/MassHEAP. Residents who have difficulty using the online system can contact their local agency to schedule an application consultation. Even those who received assistance last year must requalify this year; previous recipients can submit a renewal application received by mail along with current income documentation, or renew online.
Applicants should prepare recent heating bills, household member identification documents, a photo ID for the household representative, and proof of income for the past 30 days. Social Security or pension recipients need documentation showing payment amounts, and self-employed individuals may be asked for additional documents such as the previous year's tax return. Applications and assistance with completing forms are free.
Areas with significant Korean populations such as Lexington, Burlington, Belmont, Waltham, and Watertown are served by Community Teamwork; the contact number is 978-459-6161. Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton can contact the Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) at 617-357-6012. Local agencies for other areas can be found on the MASSCAP heating assistance information page.
Households approved for HEAP may also qualify for other energy assistance programs such as electricity and gas bill discounts, home weatherization improvements, and heating equipment repair and replacement assistance. Households in emergency situations such as running out of heating fuel or service disconnection should immediately contact their local agency to report the emergency rather than waiting for application results.
Household Size / Pre-tax Annual Income Limit
1 person / $53,585
2 people / $70,073
3 people / $86,561
4 people / $103,049
5 people / $119,536
6 people / $136,024
Source: FY2027 HEAP Income and Benefit Schedule.
[email protected]
This article was translated from the Korean original with the assistance of AI and reviewed by Boston Korea editors.
Original Korean article: https://bostonkorea.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news&wr_id=46693
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