Special to the Times-Free Press
ABCD urges residents in Greater Boston and the Mystic Valley to review the HEAP eligibility guidelines even if they don’t consider themselves low or moderate income and apply where applicable. HEAP benefits are awarded based on household size and annual income. Residents across all income levels have been impacted by this winter’s severe cold and tremendous heating prices. For FY25, as much as $1,500 can be provided in fuel assistance for eligible households.
ABCD HEAP payments are made directly to companies that supply a household’s primary heat source for eligible households in Boston, Brookline, Newton and seven communities in the Mystic Valley: Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn. Last year, ABCD received nearly 22,000 HEAP applications, which speaks to the need for and the efficacy of the program. More information about HEAP eligibility guidelines and other energy efficiency programs is available at bostonabcd.org/heat. Residents of Boston, Brookline and Newton can apply by calling ABCD at 617-357-6012. Residents of the Mystic Valley region can call ABCD’s Malden Fuel Assistance office at 781-322-6284. They can also call their neighborhood center and make an appointment to fill out fuel assistance forms in person. All Massachusetts residents can apply online at toapply.org/MassLIHEAP