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Keep warm this winter — Help is available
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible households with help in paying winter heating bills. The program pays benefits of fixed amounts based on household income and size. An additional benefit is available to eligible households having a high-energy burden.
The local administering agency, Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC), determines household eligibility based on annualized income and the number of household members. BCAC will then make payments toward the heating bill of the primary heat source vendor (oil, propane, wood or coal dealer or gas or electric utility). Special provisions are made for those households whose heat is included in their rent and those living in subsidized housing. Households with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty level, approximately $1552/month, are eligible for the Fuel Assistance Program. Homeowners and renters are both eligible.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) operates year round to assist low-income households in reducing heating bills by providing home energy efficiency services. After a household is determined eligible, BCAC schedules a home energy inspection. A Mass. Weatherization Certified Energy Auditor completes an inspection of the energy and health and safety concerns of the home and completes a Work Order/JobWrite-Up. Local certified and insured weatherization contractors are hired to complete the work at no cost to the occupants. Typical work completed includes air sealing, attic and/or sidewall insulation, weather-stripping, and minor repairs associated with the weatherization work. Heating system work, if needed, is typically referred to a separate program administered by Department of Housing and Community Development. All work receives a thorough Quality Control inspection by the agency’s Energy Auditor. To the greatest extent possible, work is coordinated with any utility-funded Energy Efficiency programs that may be available in the area. Households with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty level are eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program. Program eligibility is based on household eligibility for the LIHEAP Program. In addition, those households with a member receiving TAFDC or SSI are categorically eligible. Due to limited funding, priority points are awarded to households with elders, disabled, children under seven, Native Americans, and households with exceptionally high energy bills. Tenants (with landlord approval) as well as homeowners are eligible for weatherization. Weatherization services vary dependent on the specific needs of the home and Department of Energy approved conservation measures. Typical work costs range from $500 to a maximum of $4,600 with the average grant $1,600. No client contribution is required.
The Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP) operates year round and provides heating system repair and replacement to low-income households. During the winter months, the program serves primarily as an emergency intervention service to low-income clients having problems with their primary heating system. Eligible households call the local administering agencies and notify HEARTWAP staff when they are having a problem. Heating companies, under contract with the local agency, provide services necessary to keep the heating system operating efficiently and safely. Provisions are in place for LIHEAP clients to contact their dealer directly if the emergency occurs during the evening or on weekends. Households with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty level are eligible for HEARTWAP. Program eligibility is based on household eligibility for the current year’s LIHEAP Program. Tenants are eligible for some services, but are required to first contact their landlord who is legally responsible for the maintenance of the heating system.
HEARTWAP services vary dependent on the needs of the home. Emergency repairs average between $50 to $150. Heating system replacements for unsafe, inoperable, and irreparable systems can be as high as $2,750.
Berkshire Community Action Council Energy Conservation Programs offer the following services to those eligible for fuel assistance, who are also disabled/homebound. These include home weatherization: insulation, weather-stripping, glass repairs, and metered air-sealing; heating system services: responding to “no heat” emergencies, routine maintenance, and system replacements. Also provided are energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs, refrigerator or freezer replacement, weather-stripping, attic or wall insulation, and/or hot water conservation measures.
For further information on any of the above programs, call Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) at the following numbers:
Pittsfield - 413-445-4503
North Adams - 413-663-3014
Gt. Barrington - 413-528-1947
Toll-free-1-866-216-6100
This information is available online at www.mass.gov/dhcd.
This article and the tips are excerpted from “Cold Relief: Energy Assistance Programs”, published by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
.