Citizens Energy
Heat Assistance Programs

What are Citizens Energy heat assistance programs?

Am I eligible?

What benefits will I get?

How do I apply?

How long does it take?

Useful links

The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program has stopped taking applications for the 2010 heating season. The last day to apply for the Oil Heat Program was February 26, 2010.

What are Citizens Energy heat assistance programs?

Citizens Energy heat assistance programs help low-income people who cannot afford to pay their heating bills. Citizens Energy has a program for people who use heating oil, and a program for people who heat with natural gas.

• The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program offers free heating oil to people in need. Each eligible household is allowed a one-time delivery per heating season of 100 gallons of home heating oil for free. The Oil Heat Program is a joint effort between Citizens Energy Corporation, CITGO Petroleum, Massachusetts fuel oil dealers, fuel assistance agencies, and the MASSCAP Directors Association.

• The Citizens Energy / Distrigas Heat Assistance Program gives a $150 utility bill credit to eligible households who heat with natural gas. The program is run by Citizens Energy and funded by Distrigas.

Citizens Energy Corporation is a non-profit company started by Joseph P. Kennedy II in 1979. The Citizens Energy heat assistance programs have helped thousands of low-income and elderly families in Massachusetts.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible for the Oil Heat Program or Distrigas Gas Heat Program if you have a financial hardship and need help paying your heating bills. There are no citizenship requirements. You do not need proof of immigration status.

You must meet these requirements to be eligible:

• You are facing a financial hardship.
• You are not eligible for Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP), or you have used up your LIHEAP benefits.
• You heat with oil, kerosene, or natural gas.
• You are a resident of Massachusetts.
• You have not received financial help from Citizens Energy during this heating season.

What benefits will I get?

For the Oil Heat Program, you will get a voucher for a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil for free. You must give your voucher to your oil dealer when you get your delivery.

For the Distrigas Gas Heat Program, you will get a $150 credit on your gas utility bill.

How do I apply?

Oil Heat Program:

Distrigas Gas Heat Program:

How long does it take?

Citizen Energy will notify you about your oil heat application by mail, or you can check your status by calling 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877-563-4645). If you are approved, you will get a voucher that is good for 100 free gallons of home heating oil.

To use your voucher, you should call your oil dealer and schedule a delivery. You must schedule a delivery within 15 days of the day you get your voucher. You must give your voucher to your oil dealer when you get your delivery.

Useful links

These links are external links to web sites that are not part of MassResources.org. When you click on these links, you will leave our site. Click "Back" on your browser to return.

1. Citizens Energy Corporation
   Official site of the non-profit Citizens Energy Corporation, with information about the Oil Heat Program, Citizens Energy/Distrigas Heat Assistance Program, Citizens Health, and other charitable programs. Includes:
    
   
   • Oil Heat Program
   • Distrigas Heat Assistance Program
   • Information for Oil Dealers

Citizens Energy Heat Assistance Programs section last updated on 4/14/10