Find additional utility bill help in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts state government, including Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein, is getting the work out to  remind people that energy bill assistance is still available to those who need help. However, the deadline to apply for energy bill help is fast approaching. The annual deadline to apply for fuel assistance is April 30 of every year.

Massachusetts government employees reminded people that due to the fact that we had a particularly harsh winter this year, and combined with the tough economy, this two conditions leave many families struggling to pay bills, including heating and gas bills. It was added that it would be a shame for people in need of help with bills to go without apply for assistance simply because they don’t know about the state and local programs available to help them.

Energy Bucks is a utility and heating bill assistance program that is sponsored by Massachusetts utility and gas companies in a partnership with the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network and the Massachusetts Association for Community Action. It is a fully integrated campaign that was developed to allow “one-stop-shopping” for energy assistance services.

The primary goal of the program is to help enable Massachusetts residents to better understand and apply for assistance and aid programs that can help them manage their energy costs, save money, and get help with bills. Services offered are available to families for free, or at very little cost, depending on the families household income.

To give an idea of how much people can save, these services can assist qualified families with saving up to 30 percent on their utility and energy bills by weatherizing and insulating their homes, replacing or repairing a heating system, and also by receiving discount rates for electric and gas, as well as installing energy efficient appliances and obtaining heating oil and fuel assistance.