Gov. Patrick Announces $1.2 Million in Additional Fuel Assistance for Plymouth

Plymouth residents who qualify for fuel assistance have heaved a sigh of relief during this mild winter, but with the cost of heating oil going ever higher, the sigh hasn't always been of relief.

Gov. Deval Patrick's administration announced an increase in fuel assistance for low-income Massachusetts residents, bringing the total Massachusetts Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program allocation to $153.6 million in Fiscal Year 2012.

More than $1.2 million of that money will go to the program in Plymouth.

South Shore Community Action Council runs the local heating assistance program and will receive additional the funds.

According to a release, this increase brings the maximum deliverable fuel benefit per household to $1,095, a slight increase over Fiscal Year 2011. The maximum utility benefit will increase to $635 from $525 earlier this year.

"This funding will provide critical assistance for Massachusetts families and individuals struggling to heat their homes," Patrick said in the release. "I am pleased that we were able to work with our Congressional partners and the Legislature to increase LIHEAP funding over last year, and we will continue to advocate for this assistance going forward."

Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein said, "This funding could not have come at a better time as our regional partners work to assist as many households as possible....We thank the Legislature for their support of this invaluable program for vulnerable Massachusetts residents."

The fuel assistance funds provide eligible households with help in paying a portion of their winter heating bills. Eligibility for the program is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member, 18 years of age or older. The maximum income eligibility for LIHEAP is 60 percent of estimated state median income. Benefit levels vary depending on household income.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP is managed by DHCD in conjunction with 22 regional nonprofit and local government organizations.

At the same time, the Mass. Department of Utilities is requesting utility companies to voluntarily lengthen the winter shut-off mortorium by a month, from March 15 to April 16.

DPU regulations prohibit utility companies from shutting off service for non-payment of balance due from Nov. 15 through March 15 for low-income customers, which includes recipients of fuel assistance. Year-round service protection exists for elderly consumers, as well as those who have an infant under 12 months in the home or have a serious medical condition.

"Current economic conditions continue to have a disproportionate effect on Massachusetts’ most vulnerable populations," DPU Chair Ann Berwick said. "This action will provide much-needed relief to these families who are unable to cover their home heating costs."

The DPU sent letters requesting extension of the service termination moratorium to the following utility companies: Blackstone Gas, Berkshire Gas, New England Gas, NSTAR Gas & Electric, National Grid USA, Columbia Gas, Unitil (Fitchburg Gas & Electric), and Western Massachusetts Electric Company.

In response to DPU’s request both Columbia Gas and New England Gas have already confirmed they will extend the moratorium for their customers until April 16. Columbia Gas serves 297,510 customers in Western and Southeast Massachusetts as well as in Merrimack Valley.