LIHEAP Fuel Assistance: More funds are available for Massachusetts residents who need help paying their heating bills. The federal government has released emergency funds that will increase the LIHEAP Fuel Assistance benefit for Massachusetts households. For people who heat with oil, the increase will amount to about 100 extra gallons of heating fuel. Fuel assistance agencies will contact their clients about the increase.

Citizens Energy: Unfortunately, the Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program has depleted its funds for this heating season. The Oil Heat Program, which gave out vouchers for 100 free gallons of home heating oil, is no longer taking applications. The Distrigas Heat Assistance Program for people who heat with natural gas is still taking calls.

Other programs: Residents who do not qualify for LIHEAP fuel assistance or who have used up their benefits may be able to get help elsewhere.

• The Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps residents who do not qualify for fuel assistance.

• Many cities and towns have programs for local residents with heating emergencies. Call your city or town hall to see if they offer assistance.

• Some private organizations, such as the Southbridge Savings Bank, have also stepped up to offer assistance. Watch your local newspaper or ask your community action council for information.

Home energy savings: Homeowners and renters can save money by making their homes more energy efficient. Low-income residents can get information about free weatherization services from their Fuel Assistance Agencies. All residents can use MassSAVE to learn about rebates, loans, and other incentives for energy-saving home improvements. In some cases, homeowners can get a 50% rebate, up to $1500, on recommended improvements.

All adult Massachusetts residents are now required by law to have health insurance if they can afford it. Uninsured residents face monthly penalties.

Here are some things to remember about the new health insurance requirements:

• The Commonwealth Connector has an online Affordability Tool that shows how much a family or individual should be willing to spend on health insurance. If no affordable insurance is available, uninsured residents can get an affordability exemption or waiver. See Do I have to buy insurance? for more information.

• To avoid a tax penalty, residents must file Schedule HC (Health Care Information) when they file their state income taxes. For tax filing requirements, see How do I avoid a penalty?

• Residents with limited incomes may qualify for subsidized health insurance. See MassHealth and Commonwealth Care. Residents who cannot get subsidized health insurance can buy "good value" health plans from Commonwealth Choice.

• Residents who are not eligible for health insurance, or who cannot afford to buy it, can get free or low cost health care from the Health Safety Net. This program, formerly called Free Care, has new eligibility rules and benefits. For updates, see Health Safety Net.

Information about Health Reform, subsidized health plans, and other health care programs for Massachusetts residents is available in our Health Care Programs section.

Massachusetts residents can now apply for food stamps from any computer connected to the Internet. Once the online application is submitted, the DTA contacts the applicant for an interview and proofs. For step-by-step instructions on how to use the online application, see Food Stamps: How do I apply?

Residents can also apply for food stamps at a DTA office, food stamp outreach location, or by mail.

Find out more about Food Stamps...

 

Many Massachusetts families do not have sufficient assets to get them through an emergency or to reach long-term goals. People with limited incomes are especially vulnerable. MassResources.org now has a Building Assets section that outlines a variety of tools families can use to increase their asset wealth.

The new Building Assets section gives information about:

• Managing Money: how families can reach their financial goals by following a budget, saving as much as possible, and using credit wisely.

• Homeownership: how to decide if homeownership is the right choice, how to plan ahead, find the right house, get an affordable mortgage, and maintain the home.

• Earned Income Tax Credit: how to use the EITC to build assets and save for long-term financial goals.

• Investing Money: how to invest savings sensibly by purchasing shares of stock in companies, bonds, mutual funds, and other types of assets.

Read more about Building Assets...

 

Massachusetts has several Financial Programs to help low-income residents manage their money and start building their assets. These programs include:

• Banking Programs that give free or low cost banking services to Massachusetts residents.

• Credit Counseling Programs that give free advice to people who are in debt or have questions about their finances, and offer low-cost debt management plans.

• Individual Development Accounts that match savings to help low-income people put money aside for homeownership, education, or a small business.

• Family Self- Sufficiency Programs that set up special savings accounts to help families with Section 8 vouchers become self-sufficient.

Learn more about Financial Programs...

 

Help us spread the word about MassResources.org by giving copies of our brochure to your co-workers and clients.

Our brochure gives a description of the MassResources.org web site, with a list of the types of assistance programs covered. It also includes information about special features of our web site, such as the Benefit Screener and Eligibility Checks.

To request copies of our brochure, use the "Request brochures" link below. Please include your name, organization, mailing address, and the number of brochures you would like.

Request brochures...

 

We hope you have found this newsletter useful. Please share it with your friends and co-workers by using the "Send Page to a Co-Worker or Friend" link at the top of the page. Watch for future editions and periodic Special Updates to keep you informed of additions to the MassResources.org web site and changes in Massachusetts benefit and assistance programs.

If you have comments or suggestions about this newsletter, we would like to hear from you. Please see "Contact Us" under Quick Links below.

Thank you for your continued interest in MassResources.org.

 

phone: 508-344-1801

web: http://www.massresources.org