Massachusetts Department of Energy Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

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 60% of estimated State Median Income.

Energy Assistance Programs
1. Home Energy Assistance, LIHEAP helps pay a portion of eligible households home heating bill during the winter season.
2. HEARTWAP is a year round program that serves LIHEAP eligible households with heating system repair, replacement and maintenance services.
3. Weatherization Assistance Program is a year round program that serves LIHEAP eligible households with air sealing, attic/sidewall insulation, weather-stripping and weatherization related repairs

Eligibility for LIHEAP
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 60% of estimated State Median Income.

You can call the Cold Relief Heatline (800) 632-8175
You can apply for LIHEAP at this office.
You can apply for Home Energy Assistance Online Apply Online at https://www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP.
You can look up your city or town on the listing of Service Providers by Town at https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/

Water and Sewer Bill Assistance - When applying for Home Energy Assistance in FY 22, be sure to provide your local agency with your water and sewer account information, if available, as there is funding for a
households' water and sewer service costs.

Rental Assistance - Many households are experiencing difficulties with rental arrearages across the Commonwealth. Help is available at local Rental Assistance Agencies! Contact your local agency for more information.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program is called LIHEAP. They assist low income people and families with their heating and cooling bills. This program is therefore, a year long program that is available 12 months a year. To qualify for the LIHEAP assistance, you need to qualify. We provide the current Federal Poverty Rates nationwide below.

You are automatically qualified for LIHEAP assistance if you participate in the SNAP food stamps program, TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the SSI program through Social Security.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

Persons In Family	Earnings (100% Fed Poverty Guideline)
1	$15,060
2	$20,440
3	$25,820
4	$31,200
5	$36,580
6	$41,960
7	$47,340
8	$52,720

*Alaska and Hawaii have different rates for HUD federal poverty guidelines.
These numbers above represent 100% of the Federal Poverty Rate. In order to get legal aid from some offices, they use a sliding fee scale. When they use a sliding fee scale, the 100% rate can be different than 100%. In those cases, using for example a 200% federal poverty level, you will only need double the 100% number listed above to 200%.

User questions & answers

Have you used the City of Cambridge DHS LIHEAP Utility Assistance service before? If so, please help our website users by answer these questions below.