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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information Senior Power: Stretch your dollar
By Simone Gaunt & Laura Feakes
Don’t miss these important money saving tips to help you manage your budget this coming winter season.
Utilities
Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) has a fuel assistance program that helps 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, 663-3014 (North County); 445-5671 (Central County); or 528-1947 (South County).
Berkshire Gas Company offers reduced rates to low-income customers who receive public assistance benefits and meet income limits. Eligible customers get a 20% to 40% discount on their gas rates. Utility companies enroll eligible customers automatically, or customers can apply directly. Call Berkshire Gas Company at 800-292-5012 for details.
The Center for Ecological Technology (CET) has a heating oil coop that contracts with full service dealers to sell oil at a reduced rate 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, low-income individuals, and seniors. Call CET at 445-4556 to fill out an application.
Citizens Energy Oil Program (Joe 4Oil) allows people who need help heating their homes to purchase a one time delivery of up to 200 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. The fund is for people facing a short-term financial crisis who do not qualify for other fuel assistance programs. It is a joint effort between the gas and electric utility companies and the Salvation Army. Help is available from December 1st until funds run out. For income guidelines and to apply, call the Salvation Army in Pittsfield at 442-0624 or in North Adams at 663-7987.
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 499-0260 or 800-286-2000 to request an application.
Telephone
Link-Up America and Life Line Phone Discount are programs designed to make telephone service more affordable for Massachusetts residents with limited incomes. Anyone is eligible who receives financial assistance from one or more of the following programs administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 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 to request an application.
Food
Massachusetts Food Assistance Program helps low-income Massachusetts families and individuals buy almost any food item in any supermarket. For more information, call the Department of Transitional Assistance: Pittsfield, 236-2000; North Adams, 663-1100; and toll free 800-645-8333.
Emergency funds
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a cash assistance program for people age 65 or older, those who are disabled or blind with limited income. SSI provides monthly cash payments that vary in amount depending on your personal situation. The maximum benefit for a single person age 65 or older, paying full living costs is about $751.82. The more income you have, the lower your SSI payment will be. For more information, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visit or contact your local Social Security office: in Pittsfield, 78 Center Street, Suite 101, 499-2432; North County, 37 Main Street, North Adams, 664-7951.
Veterans’ Services (VS) provides cash and medical assistance to low-income Massachusetts wartime veterans and their families who are in need of immediate help. You may be eligible for veterans’ services if you are a veteran or a dependent of a veteran who served during wartime, have few resources and limited income and you need financial help. To determine eligibility, call the Veterans Services Officer: North County - 662-3040, South County - 528-1580, and Pittsfield - 499-9433.
Just a reminder...
Massachusetts laws prevent utility companies from shutting off service to: seniors, low-income families with infants, people with serious illnesses who cannot afford to pay their utility bills, tenants whose landlords are responsible for utility bills, and low-income people who would be without heat during the winter are eligible for shutoff protection.
This article and the tips are excerpted from the website Massresources. org. Simone Gaunt and Laura Feakes are Elder Services’ Information & Referral/Intake Specialists.