Local Emergency Fuel Assistance Programs

• What are local emergency fuel assistance programs?
• Am I eligible?
• What benefits will I get?
• How do I apply?
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
• Local city-town programs
• Local nonprofit programs

What are local emergency fuel assistance programs?

Local emergency fuel assistance programs are programs for area residents who are facing a fuel emergency and do not qualify for other fuel programs, or have used up their other fuel benefits.

Local emergency fuel assistance programs are funded by a variety of sources, including FEMA, local governments, and private donations. Programs are run by city-town governments, religious groups, and other local nonprofit organizations.

Note: Local emergency fuel assistance programs are not disaster assistance programs.

Am I eligible?

Eligibility requirements for local emergency fuel assistance programs vary from one program to the next.

In general, you may be eligible if:

• you live in the service area of the local program
  (some programs have a one year residency requirement)
• you have no heat or have received a shutoff notice
• you have limited income
• you have not already received help from the program during the current heating season
• you are not eligible for other fuel assistance programs*, or have used up your benefits

*For information about other fuel assistance programs, see LIHEAP Fuel Assistance, Citizens Energy Heat Assistance, and Good Neighbor Energy Fund.

What benefits will I get?

The benefits you will get from local emergency fuel assistance programs vary from one program to the next. Benefits are short-term, to help you through a fuel crisis situation, such as:

• payment of one month's heating bill
• one free tank of oil
• a voucher for heating fuel
• a specific dollar amount maximum benefit (for example $300)

How do I apply?

To apply for local emergency fuel assistance programs, you should contact the local organization in charge of the program. See the listings below:

• Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
  (local programs that get funds from the federal government and are run by city-town governments, agencies, or nonprofits)
• Local city-town fuel assistance programs
  (local programs sponsored by cities or towns to help their residents)
• Local nonprofit fuel assistance programs
  (local programs run by charitable groups to aid area residents in need)

If you can't find a program in your area, Massachusetts 2-1-1 or Community Action Agencies may be able to help you.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

The federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) gives federal funds to local nonprofit and government organizations to help prevent hunger and homelessness. Local organizations can use EFSP funds to pay up to one month's utility bill for residents facing a fuel emergency.

City and town governments, religious organizations, and other local nonprofits run EFSP programs.

For more information about EFSP, visit the EFSP web site.

Local city-town fuel assistance programs

Many Massachusetts cities and towns have local emergency fuel assistance programs for their residents. In some communities, local Councils on Aging have special fuel assistance programs to help seniors.

To find out if your city or town offers emergency fuel assistance, you should contact your local government offices. For fuel assistance for seniors, contact your local Council on Aging.

• City-town offices: Massachusetts City and Town Websites
• Councils on Aging: Directory of CoA sites or 1-800-AGE-INFO

Local city-town fuel assistance programs include*:

*If your city or town is not listed, call your city-town government offices to see if emergency funds are available.

Also see city-town EFSP-funded programs above.

Local nonprofit fuel assistance programs

Nonprofit organizations throughout the state run emergency fuel assistance programs to help residents of their local communities. Some of these programs are EFSP funded and included in the list of EFSP Funded Organizations (see EFSP, above).

Local nonprofit fuel assistance programs include*:

*There may be other local nonprofit programs not included on this list. If you do not see a program in your area, call your local Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, or Salvation Army for assistance.

Also see nonprofit agency EFSP-funded programs above.