Editorial: There’s help on hand for winter heating bills

We lucked out this fall with milder than average temps. But you could feel the change this week: Colder weather is coming, and with it another round of punishing heating bills for households already struggling with the rising costs of food, housing, and groceries. This winter promises to be especially difficult for families and seniors on fixed incomes.

But there is help available for those in need.

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), the nonprofit agency that administers the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in Boston and several surrounding communities, is now accepting applications and scheduling in-person appointments at its neighborhood offices, including the Dorchester office on Claybourne Street.

The program can provide up to $1,450 in assistance for households using delivered fuels and up to $1,000 for those heating with utilities or whose heat is included in their rent. Payments go directly to heating vendors.

The need is clearly growing. Last week, ABCD reported a 53.2 percent increase in demand for first-time heating assistance applications so far this season. The situation is worrisome because of soaring fuel prices.

According to the State House News Service, Massachusetts home heating oil averaged $5.94 per gallon this week, more than $2 higher than at the same time last year. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association projects heating oil prices could climb by 50 percent this winter.

Massachusetts has already taken steps to help, including $15 million in additional state funding for low-income heating assistance and a broader package of winter energy relief. On Monday, Gov. Maura Healey joined the five other New England governors in a bipartisan appeal to Congress for an additional $3 billion in federal heating assistance. The governors warned that existing funding will not stretch nearly far enough to meet the need. Hopefully, this lame duck Congress will get it done pronto and not wait for January and a new class of Democrats to come to this region’s aid.

In the meantime, we advise our neighbors to start the application process now. And don’t assume you make too much money to qualify. Eligibility for the traditional assistance program extends to households earning up to 60 percent of the state median income, with limits adjusted according to household size. Massachusetts has also expanded assistance this winter, including a new benefit intended to reach approximately 50,000 middle-income households that rely on heating oil.

These programs exist precisely because heating a home in New England is an essential expense, not a luxury. Older residents, working families, people with disabilities, and households with young children should not have to choose between paying for groceries, prescriptions, or a warm apartment.

Residents should also be aware of protections against winter utility shutoffs. Massachusetts law provides important safeguards for qualifying households experiencing financial hardship, including protections during the heating season. Anyone worried about losing service should contact their utility provider and inquire about hardship protections.

Neighborhood organizations, churches, civic associations, and elected officials can help, too, by spreading the word, particularly to seniors and residents who may be unaware of their eligibility.

ABCD has neighborhood offices and staff who can help residents navigate the application process.

Information is available at bostonabcd.org/heat. Applications can also be submitted online at mass.gov/heap. Boston residents can check their status by calling 617-348-6411.

Editorial: There’s help on hand for winter heating bills

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