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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information Senior power, stretch your dollar
Don’t miss these important money saving tips to help you manage your budget this coming winter season.
The Center for Ecological Technology (CET) has a Heating Oil Co-Op that contracts with full service dealers to sell oil at a fixed price for co-op members. Consumers who heat their homes, apartments or small businesses with oil can save a significant amount of money each heating season. The consumer must join the co-op at a cost of $15 per household, $25 per business and $7 for students and low income individuals. Call CET at 413-445-4556 to fill out an application.
Western Mass Electric Company provides a 35% discount to consumers who are also eligible for AFDC, EAEDC, Food Stamps, SSI, Medicaid, Fuel Assistance and/or some VA benefit programs. Call WMECO at 413-499-0260 or (800)286-2000 to request an application.
Link-Up America & Life Line Phone Discount are programs designed to make telephone service more affordable for Massachusetts residents with limited incomes. Who is eligible? Anyone who receives financial assistance from one or more of the following programs administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is eligible to apply for Link-Up and Life Line. The programs are: Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC); Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); MassHealth (Medicaid); Food Stamp Benefits and Fuel Assistance. To apply, call Verizon at 888-382-6500.
Massachusetts Food Assistance Program is a form of government assistance to help low-income families and individuals in Massachusetts buy food. The program is designed to enable you to buy almost any food item in any supermarket where you usually shop for food. The Food Assistance Program is for people who buy food and make meals at home. Massachusetts families that use the program can spend the money they save to help pay their other bills. For more information, call the Department of Transitional Assistance in your area, Pittsfield: 413-236-2000; North Adams: 413-663-1100 or toll free: 800- 645-8333.
Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) has a fuel assistance program that can help low income residents pay for their primary source of heat. This program helps to offset part of the cost of fuel and is available from November 1 through April 30. Renters whose heat is included in their rent may also be eligible to receive help. For income guidelines and to apply for fuel assistance, call BCAC, 413-663-3014 (North County); 413-445-5671 (Central County); or 413-528-1947 (South County).
Citizens Energy Oil Program (Joe 4Oil) allows people who need help heating their homes to purchase a one time delivery of up to 175 gallons of home heating home oil for half of the retail price per gallon. This program covers oil purchases only and does not apply to burner primes or services. This program is available December thru mid-March. For income guidelines, call toll free (877) JOE-4-Oil or (877) 563-4645 or your local fuel assistance agency.
The Salvation Army in Pittsfield and North Adams offers help with winter fuel expenses through their Good Neighbor Fund, which helps people in need pay for their winter heating fuel and other energy bills. The fund is for people who are facing a short-term financial crisis and do not qualify for other fuel assistance programs. It is a joint effort between the gas and electric utility companies and the Salvation Army. Money for the fund comes from the utility companies, donations from utility customers and businesses and other charitable donors. You can get help from the Good Neighbor Energy Fund if you are in financial need and do not qualify for government energy assistance programs. Funds are available from December 1 until funds run out. For income guidelines and to apply, call the Salvation Army in Pittsfield at 413-442-0624 or in North Adams at 413-663-7987.