LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program):

Known commonly as Fuel Assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating bills. Homeowners and renters, including households whose cost of heat is included in the rent, can apply at the agency in their area. Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member, 18 years of age or older. Household income cannot exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

First-time applicants must apply in person at the fuel assistance agency in their area (visit app1.ocd.state.ma.us/fuel/ to find one in your neighborhood). Households must apply each year; applications are mailed to households after the first year. Households can apply from November 1st to April 30th of the program year. Applicants who are denied assistance have the right to appeal through the local fuel assistance agency.

For more information on LIHEAP in Massachusetts, visit www.mass.gov.

MassSave:

Massachusetts has a $5 million HEAT LOAN program that provides qualifying consumers with no-interest and low-interest loans (0-3%) for installing energy efficient heating systems in their homes.

MassSAVE helps consumers replace aging Oilheat systems with modern, technologically-advanced equipment and offers grants up to $15,000 to consumers who undertake energy efficiency improvements. Potential total savings to consumers through HEAT LOAN is approximately $28 million.

Consumers whose income is less than 80% of the state median income ($66,150 for a family of 4) qualify for loans with 0-1% interest and loan terms of up to 5-7 years. Loans will be administered by participating banks and set up through the state's residential conservation programs coordinated by MassSAVE.

For more information, call 1-866-527-SAVE, or visit www.masssave.com.