Utility Assistance for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Massachusetts

Why Utility Costs Spike

Adding a child to a household raises energy costs more than most people expect. More laundry, more hot water, more heating in a room that might have been closed off, and more electricity for lights and devices after school. For a grandparent or relative on a fixed income, a $50 to $100 monthly increase in utility bills can be the difference between making ends meet and falling behind.

Massachusetts has several utility assistance programs. Receiving TAFDC or SNAP can qualify a household for some utility discount and arrearage programs; HEAP has its own income eligibility rules.

Home Energy Assistance (HEAP / LIHEAP)

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP, federally LIHEAP) pays a portion of eligible households' heating costs. Massachusetts distributes HEAP through local administering agencies, and household income must be at or below 60% of state median income. Benefit amounts change each year.

How to apply:

1. Find your local HEAP agency through Mass.gov's Home Energy Assistance page or call 1-800-632-8175
2. Bring proof of income (Social Security award letter, pension statement), a recent utility bill, proof of address, and documentation of everyone in the household — including the child's birth certificate or school enrollment record
3. If you receive TAFDC or SNAP, bring a benefit verification letter. HEAP will determine eligibility under its household income rules.

The application portal opens October 1 each year for the upcoming heating season (November 1 through April 30). Apply online or through your local administering agency, and check current funding and deadlines.

Heating season protection. If you are experiencing financial hardship and your electric or gas service is needed to heat your home, Massachusetts regulations generally protect you from shutoff from November 15 through March 15. Contact your utility to request protection; receiving HEAP does not automatically protect every account from shutoff.

Utility Discount Rates

Massachusetts electric and gas utilities offer reduced rates for eligible low-income customers. The discount amount depends on the utility. If you receive state food, cash, or medical benefits, or qualify for HEAP, ask your utility whether you qualify for its discount and whether enrollment is automatic.

If the discount is not showing on your bill, call your utility company and ask about the low-income discount rate. Provide proof of your qualifying benefit or income and ask whether the rate can be applied to past bills.

Arrearage Management Programs

If you have fallen behind on utility bills — which is common when a child arrives unexpectedly and expenses jump before benefits kick in — Massachusetts utility companies offer arrearage management programs (AMPs) that forgive a portion of your past-due balance over time.

Enrollment terms are set by each utility and may require you to make scheduled payments on current charges. The amount forgiven and the repayment schedule depend on the utility's program. Your local administering agency or free legal aid organization can help you ask about enrollment.

Weatherization Assistance

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program provides free energy efficiency improvements — insulation, window sealing, heating system upgrades — to low-income households. In Massachusetts, this is also administered through local CAAs.

If your home is drafty or the heating system is aging, weatherization can permanently lower your monthly energy costs. The wait list can be long, so apply early, especially if you are already in contact with your CAA for LIHEAP.

Putting It All Together

Utility costs are one of the expenses that benefit programs do not directly cover — TAFDC and SNAP help with basic needs, but the electric bill is on you. HEAP, a utility discount, and an arrearage program can reduce annual energy costs, depending on your eligibility, utility, and heating expenses.

The Massachusetts Kinship Financial Help guide includes these programs in its benefit map alongside TAFDC, MassHealth, and the other core programs, so you can see the full picture of what is available and apply for everything in the right order.

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