Fuel Assistance (HEAP): Get help paying your heating bills

Fuel Assistance is a program that primarily helps pay your heating bills. The program sends money to your heating company to be credited to your account. A heating company can be an oil or propane dealer, or an electric or gas utility.

The Fuel Assistance program can sometimes make payments on electric bills, even if you heat with oil or gas. These payments are limited in amount and are not made until the spring, but can help you stop a shutoff of utility service when the winter moratorium on utility shutoffs ends.

Getting Fuel Assistance automatically qualifies you for important electricity and gas discounts and free energy efficiency services, such as weatherizing your home.

Learn more on the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources website.

All households earning less than 60% of state median income are financially eligible for Fuel Assistance. Homeowners and renters can apply for Fuel Assistance. The amount you get depends on:

• your income,
• your household size,
• your heating source (oil, gas, propane, electricity), and
• whether you live in subsidized housing.

See the FY 2025 HEAP Income Eligibility Benefit Chart to see how much you can get based on your income and type of expenses.

Fuel Assistance covers heating bills from November 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025. The application period opens October 1st. 

Yes, you may be able to get Fuel Assistance even if heat is included in your rent.

If you live in public housing or have a housing voucher, and heat is included in your rent, you can get Fuel Assistance if your rent is more than 30% of your income.

If you live in private housing and heat is included in your rent, you can get Fuel Assistance no matter how much rent you pay. The program will pay 30% of the monthly rent, up to the maximum Fuel Assistance benefit which is based on your income.

You can also get Fuel Assistance if you pay for heat separate from your rent.

Apply online. Or call the Heatline, 1-800-632-8175, to find out where in your area you can apply for Fuel Assistance.

The application process opens November 1 each year. It usually runs through the end of April (sometimes into May). It usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks to find out if you have been approved. It may be quicker if you are out of oil or facing termination of your utilities.

It is free to apply. If someone tries to charge you for a Fuel Assistance application, it is a scam.

If you pay for your heat directly, the HEAP agency will send your approved amount of Fuel Assistance directly to the vendor. For example, the gas, propane or oil company, or the electric company if you have electric heat. You will not get a check yourself.

If heat is included in your rent, the HEAP agency will send the check with your Fuel Assistance payment directly to you.