How to get relief from high energy bills

Now that spring has begun, Waltham residents are enjoying more forgiving temperatures. But for those Massachusetts families behind on their utility bills, the return of spring means the returning threat of gas or electricity shutoffs by utility companies.

From Nov. 15 to March 15, gas, electric and water utility companies cannot shut off services to qualifying households behind on their bills. This applies to those residential households facing financial hardship with elderly, infant, disabled or ill members. 

However, now that it is after March 15, these households could see their electricity or gas turned off in April if they can’t pay. 

The National Consumer Law Center reports that residential customers owe, on average, more for unpaid utility bills as of last September than before the pandemic in 2019. According to its report, households behind on their bills owe $997 per household on average. Of those who owe, 50% are more than 90 days behind.

Those struggling to pay their bills have options, however. 

Discounts through utility companies

Nonmunicipal (not government-owned or -operated) electric and gas companies are required by state law to provide discounted rates for low-income customers who are receiving benefits under any income-tested benefits program, including (but not limited to) the following benefit programs:

• TAFDC, cash assistance
• EAEDC, cash assistance
• SSI, cash assistance
• State Veterans Services benefits
• Women, Infant & Children (WIC) benefits
• Emergency Assistance shelter benefits
• SNAP benefits (formerly Food Stamps)
• Most MassHealth programs
• Refugee Resettlement Program benefits
• HEAP (formerly called LIHEAP or fuel assistance)
• Certain kinds of veterans’ benefits
• A child enrolled in Head Start or the School Breakfast or School Lunch Program.

An applicant must be 18 years old and head of household. The account used to pay the bill must be in the applicant’s name. Importantly, customers must apply for these discounts each year. Here are the forms to apply for discounts from National Grid and Eversource if you already receive one of these benefits:

• National Grid: Discount Rate Application for Massachusetts Customers
• Eversource: Discount Rate Application – Eastern Massachusetts

Taking the time to apply is well worth the trouble. Eversource and National Grid customers can receive a 25% discount on their gas bills. The discount is even higher for electricity: a discount of 42% and 32% from Eversource and National Grid, respectively. 

Applying for HEAP fuel assistance

Low-income households that do not receive other benefits may be eligible to apply for fuel assistance from the Home Energy Assistance Program.

This program provides funds for winter heating bills to qualifying households and incomes. The program also connects with other federally funded programs that provide support for emergency heating system repair and home weatherization upgrades. 

This year’s maximum income to qualify is $94,608 for a family of four. 

Interested bill payers can check out HEAP’s website to see if they are eligible. Massachusetts residents can apply through their local HEAP agency, which for Waltham is the Lowell-based Community Teamwork Inc. Individuals can apply online or in person at 45 Kirk St. in Lowell, Massachusetts. How much a household receives from HEAP depends on household need.

Note that first-time applicants must also meet with CTI for an intake appointment. Applicants must provide

• photo identification
• a list of all household members
• proof of income
• information on your heating bills and
• an active lease or mortgage statement.

Something to keep in mind, according to the National Consumer Law Center, is that the funding for the HEAP program is less than expected this year. The discounts have a maximum yearly assistance amount, which varies according to federal funding. This year the maximum assistance amount for a household’s heating with oil or propane is $1,500 in discounts; last year it was $1,950.

Discounts and HEAP funds can be applied to past bills

Utility customers who can prove they were eligible in past months can have these discounts retroactively applied to past bills. Mass Legal Help’s resources on utility discounts note that requesting retroactive discounts can be tricky, however, and bill payers should make them in specific ways and times.

Meanwhile, HEAP applications are accepted from Nov. 1 through April 30 for the current season, so there is still time to apply for fuel assistance for bills from this winter.

Households that do not qualify for discounts or HEAP can set up payment and arrears management plans, according to Mass Legal Help’s online resources. 

Payers can also choose to “level” their monthly bills throughout the year. Continuous level billing means customers pay a steady monthly average usage bill instead of steep bills in high-usage months and very low bills in low-usage months.