Energy Assistance Programs:

There are seven energy assistance programs available to residents of Massachusetts, which involve interaction with the local fuel or utility company, or provide free energy audits in the home. Following is a brief description of each.  A good source of information about each program can be found at:

MassResources.org

Fuel Assistance,

 the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), helps low-income renters and homeowners pay heating bills. There also are weatherization, utility discount and emergency furnace repair programs. Households receiving food stamps, MassHealth, SSI, fuel assistance or are in the school free lunch program automatically qualify. Discounts are 25-35%. Call the utility company for an application. For more information, call 800-632-8175 or South Shore Community Action Council 877-383-5243; Hyannis 508-778-0870 Nov-Apr

Citizens Energy

 helps low-income households pay heating bills by giving vouchers for free heating oil or a gas bill credit. The heating oil program stopped taking applications Feb. 28, 2009. Call 877-JOE-4-OIL (877-563-4645) or click here for the latest information. The gas program is still taking applications. 866-GAS-9918

Good Neighbor Energy Fund

 is for people with a short-term financial crisis who do not qualify for fuel assistance.  The fund helps to pay heating fuel and other energy bills. 800-334-3047 or  click here.

Utility Arrearage Programs

 help to prevent utility shutoffs or restore utility serve by paying overdue bills. There are payment plans, debt forgiveness, or a combination. Investor-owned utilities are required to offer an arrearage plan and cannot shut off service to a household with an approved plan. Call the Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Island (CACCI) in Hyannis for information. 508-771-1727 or click here.  The Cape Cod Times Needy Fund also administers the utility arrearage program. Their phone is 508-778-5661 or 800-442-1446.  The contact for this program is Lorraine Carbral.

Utility Discounts

 must be given to low-income families who receive public assistance. This includes discounts for gas, electricity and telephone service. 800-392-6066 or click here.

Utility Shutoff Protection

 is part of state law.  Utilities may not cut service for senior, low-income households with infants, or people with serious illnesses who cannot pay their bills, or in the winter for any household with a financial hardship. 800-392-6066  or click here.

MassSave

 is an energy savings program for homeowners and renters providing information about free home energy assessments, energy-saving products, loans and rebates for energy-saving home improvements. 866-527-7283 or click here.

Oil Co-op:

Cape & Island Self Reliance Corp.

 is an oil cooperative that negotiates lower prices through its large purchasing power for its members to obtain inexpensive home heating oil. 508-457-7679 or 800-808-0120 or click here.

Cape Light Compact:

Cape Light Compact

 provides free energy audits regardless of income. 800-797-6699 or click here for link to website.

Emergency Assistance:

Several agencies provide emergency financial assistance for residents of the lower and outer cape with temporary financial problems who are not eligible for state or federal aid.  Among them are

Lower Cape Outreach Council:

19 Brewster Cross Road, Orleans, MA 02653; 508-240-0694 or 866.TRY.LCOC

Salvation Army Good Neighbor Fund: 

800-334-3047; Hyannis 508-775-0364   

St. Vincent DePaul Society:

61 Canal Rd., Orleans; Helpline 508-255-8080

PLEASE WRITE ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS BELOW.  OTHER COMMENTS ARE ALSO WELCOME.