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Mass. Gets $11.5 Million in Emergency LIHEAP AidStaff reports
iBerkshires
06:27PM / Wednesday, September 17, 2008
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick is applauding the release today of $11.5 million in federal heating assistance funds for the state.
The money comes from the emergency contingency funds of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. The program helps low-income residents heat their homes in the winter.
"This is a step in the right direction to help low-income seniors, families and individuals to stay safe and warm in their homes this winter," said Patrick in a press release. "We will continue to work closely with our congressional delegation and urge Congress to fully fund the LIHEAP program."
Patrick recently spoke with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt to communicate the urgency of the need for fuel assistance within Massachusetts. Wednesday's contingency release totaled approximately $120.7 million nationwide, and Massachusetts received the second-highest amount in the country.
The Northeast is the major user of home heating oil, which has tripled in price over the past few years. The average price for a gallon of fuel oil is up a $1 more than last year.
Over that time, the state's congressional delegation has been repeatedly rebuffed in attempts to put more money into LIHEAP.
Need Help?
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There are a broad range of programs covering everything from energy conservation tips to heating fuel assistance. Here's how to find them.
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Get Warm
 If you need assistance in any form, the best place to start is Berkshire Community Action Council in Pittsfield at 413-445-4503 or in Northern Berkshire at 413-663-3014 and Great Barrington at 413-528-1947. |
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Stay Warm
Local utilities will work with you to create budget plans. Don't wait until you're behind.
National Grid
800-322-3223
Berkshire Gas
800-592-2000
WMECO
800-286-2000
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Take Action
Think you're being cheated? Call the attorney general's consumer service coordinator in Springfield at 413-784-1240, Ext. 136 |
 New Alternatives |
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More Options
Assistance and/or information is available at:
Department of Housing and Community Development
800-632-8175
(Joe4Oil)
877-563-4645
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In July, Patrick partnered with House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Senate President Therese Murray, both Boston Democrats, to launch a joint task force to address winter energy costs. The task force has already held public hearings in Springfield, Fall River, Haverhill, Worcester and Boston in the past few weeks. The group, chaired by state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, will submit at the end of September an action plan to help citizens cope with the high cost of energy expected this winter.
The recommendations will include a review of emergency service programs, as well as available programs to reduce home energy use through weatherization and efficiency improvements. Other areas of energy cost savings could include incentives for carpooling and use of public transportation. The task force will also explore ways to mobilize community, volunteer, and philanthropic resources to address service needs.
Local groups and officials have also been warning about the lack of funding for fuel assistance. Two weeks ago, state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, hosted a heating forum in his hometown to answers and solutions to the growing energy crisis.
Following a meeting of the New England Governors Conference hosted by Patrick this summer, all six New England governors signed a letter calling on the federal government to increase LIHEAP funds for the New England region. Tuesday, the New England Governors held a summit in Bar Harbor, Maine, and put forth a resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP for 2008 with an additional $2.5 billion.
Last year, Massachusetts received $115 million in federal LIHEAP funding in addition to $15 million in state funding to help to assist approximately 141,000 low-income Massachusetts residents heat their homes last winter. Nationwide, LIHEAP assists more than 4.6 million low-income Americans in paying their heating bills. Congress has not yet determined this year's final LIHEAP appropriation for its fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. LIHEAP provides fuel assistance to low-income people with annual incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or $42,400 for a family of four.
For more information about LIHEAP assistance and other resources for winter heating help, go to www.mass.gov/winterheating or call the HEATLINE at 1-800-632-8175. For information about how to deal with the high costs of gasoline, go to www.mass.gov/gastips.
To apply for LIHEAP in Berkshire County, contact Berkshire Community Action Council at 413-445-4503 |
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