Salem To Spend $500K In ARPA Funds On Winter Heating Assistance

SALEM, MA — Salem will use $500,000 of its federal American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 funding to supplement its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program as home heating prices are expected to soar this winter season.

The assistance is offered through the North Shore Community Action Programs here or by calling 978-548-5706. Income restrictions apply but will be determined for Salem residents through the federal APRA guidelines — which are higher than typical LIHEAP allowances.

"Salem is committed to supporting our residents in the face of increasing utility rates," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said. "These funds, which may be expanded if demand warrants, are being allocated to our home heating assistance programs to help Salem residents meet these escalating costs.

"I encourage every Salem resident who may need assistance with heating bills this winter to call NSCAP to find out if they might be eligible and then, if they are, to get their application in quickly."

NSCAP Executive Director Laura Meisenhelter said these funds will help support more Salem residents who have exhausted their previous Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program allowance or who exceed the previous LIHEAP income restrictions.

"With sky-rocketing heating costs this year, it is especially encouraging to help with the heating bills for those people who earn just a little too much to qualify for LIHEAP," Meisenhelter said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)