Home Energy Assistance
Home Energy Assistance Program
(Formerly known as Fuel Assistance)
Do You Need Help Keeping Warm This Winter?
Would You Like A Discount On Your Monthly National Grid Utility Bills?
New England winters can be harsh and rising energy costs make it harder to keep up with the cost of heating your home year after year. Home Energy Assistance is a federally funded program that helps income-eligible households pay their winter heating bills. Eligibility is based on gross household income and the number of household members.
The Home Energy Assistance Program was created to help individuals and families stay warm and save money when winter cold arrives. Home Energy Assistance pays toward heating costs incurred between November 1st and April 30th. For over 50 years, thousands of households in Salem, Peabody, Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, and Topsfield have relied on NSCAP to help keep their home warm in winter. If your household meets the income guidelines below, you may be eligible for payments towards your winter heating bills and enrollment in National Grid’s discount rate.
Schedule an Appointment/Questions:
Please call (978) 531-0767, ext. 136 to schedule a phone appointment or you may email fuelassistance@nscap.org for more information.
We are open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM to Noon, and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. NSCAP’s Home Energy Assistance Program is closed to visitors on Fridays.
For More Information or to Schedule an Appointment
(from October 1 to April 30)
Call: (978) 531-0767 ext. 136
or Email: fuelassistance@nscap.org
To Hear the Status of Your Application Call Our Automated Status Line: (978) 531-8810
*Attention First Time Applicants and Returning Applicants*
You may now start an application online. The application portal will help you assess your possible eligibility for the Home Energy Assistance. Please be prepared to input your household data, and upload documents in support of your application. If you are a first time applicant, upon submission a caseworker will contact you to review your application and determine any additional information that may be required.
Applying for Home Energy Assistance
First Time Applicants
First-time applicants are required to have a personal interview. Beginning October 1st, NSCAP schedules appointments for first-time applicants who pay for their own heat. Call (978) 531-0767, ext. 136 for a phone intake.
You may also apply online at https://toapply.org/NSCAP
As part of the application process, please be prepared to share necessary information, included but not limited to photo identification, proof of citizenship, a list of all household members, proof of income, your housing situation and information on your heating bills.
If additional items are needed to process your application, you will receive a letter explaining what is missing. Additional documents may be mailed, faxed or scanned to your worker.
Previous Home Energy Assistance Applicants
Beginning in September and continuing through November, applications are mailed to households that received benefits last season. Follow the instructions that accompany the application and return your signed application and required documentation to NSCAP as soon as possible to avoid delays in payments to your heating vendor. Note: Applicants are required to update their application and verify income annually.
IF YOU HAVE CHANGES TO YOUR APPLICATION, YOU MUST MAKE THE CORRECTIONS DIRECTLY ON YOUR YELLOW APPLICATION.
IF YOU DO NOT SEND IN YOUR INFORMATION WITH YOUR APPLICATION, YOU WILL SIGNIFICANTLY DELAY THE APPROVAL OF YOUR APPLICATION. PLEASE USE THE HEAP INCOME SHEET TO REFERENCE ACCEPTABLE INCOME DOCUMENTATION.
You may also recertify your application online at https://toapply.org/NSCAP
Please do not apply online AND mail in the application that was sent to you. Only one submission method is needed; doing both could lead to delays in processing your application.
Home Energy Assistance Income Eligibility
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Annual Income* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $49,196* |
| 2 | $64,333* |
| 3 | $79,470* |
| 4 | $94,608* |
| 5 | $109,745* |
| 6 | $124,882* |
| 7 | $127,720* |
| 8 | $130,559* |
If you live outside of NSCAP’s service area, please call (800) 632-8175, or you can visit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), and find the energy assistance agency nearest you by visiting the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) webpage.
Helpful Links to Document Your Income
Financial Assistance Form
Declaración de Asistencia Financiera
Child Support/Alimony Form
Formulario de Documentación de Manutención Infantil/Pensión Alimenticia
No Income Statement
Declaración de Ningún Ingreso
Veterans Benefit Verification
DTA Award Letters
IRS Transcript
Social Security Award Letters
Unemployment Verification
The Application Process
When your application is received, it will be date-stamped and entered into our system for tracking. Your application will be reviewed by our staff. If additional items are needed, you will be notified within 25 working days of receipt of your signed application in a letter that explains what is missing. After all of the required information is received, your application will be certified and a determination letter will be sent to you within 45 working days of receipt of your completed application and documentation. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is important that you file early.
IMPORTANT: It can take 6-8 weeks (from November 1st) before we review your application. If you do not provide the required documents, your application will be determined incomplete and it will take you longer for your application to be approved.
YOU MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALL INCOME FOR EVERY PERSON LIVING WITH YOU – whether they contribute to the household or not.
INCOME MUST COVER THE 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DATE WE RECEIVE YOUR SIGNED APPLICATION.
After submitting your application, you may check the status of your application, remaining benefits and payments made on your account by calling our automated status line: (978) 531-8810
Determination of Eligibility and Payment to Vendors
Once your household is determined eligible, NSCAP notifies you and your vendor of the amount of your benefit. Your oil or propane vendor will be instructed to make deliveries up to the amount of your benefit. NSCAP instructs heating utilities, including NGRID gas and electric and municipal electric companies, to submit bills directly to us. NSCAP makes payments directly to your heating vendor or utility up to the amount of your benefit. Benefits are paid for deliveries/utility usage from November 1st through April 30th only.
Note: Any bills in excess of the Home Energy Assistance benefit are the responsibility of the applicant.
Home Energy Assistance relies on federal funding each year. Benefits are available on a first-come, first served basis, so it is important to complete your application as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preguntas Frecuentes
Additional Resources
Contact the Following Agencies for Details and Requirements for Availability of Additional Funds:
Catholic Charities
(978) 740-6923
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund
(800) 334-3047
Salvation Army
Saving Money
Households that are determined eligible for Home Energy Assistance are automatically enrolled in National Grid’s low income discount rate, a savings of 29% of the supply charges of your National Grid bill. The following forms may be used prior to the start of the Home Energy Assistance season to apply for the discount as well.
NGRID Gas Discount Application
Protection from Shutoff:
Keeping the Heat and Lights On
Income-eligible households are protected from an electric or gas shut-off during the winter months if they can demonstrate financial hardship. Households in which all members are 65 years or older are also protected. To learn more about how to avoid a shut-off, please see the resources below.
Contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities:
(877) 886-5066
Behind on Your Bills?
If you are having trouble keeping up with high winter utility bills, consider contacting National Grid to create a Payment or Budget Plan to help level the cost of keeping your home warm throughout the year. In addition, eligible National Grid customers may resolve past-due debt through the Arrears Management Program (AMP). Click the link below to learn more, or call NSCAP at (978) 531-0767, ext 136 for additional information.
NGRID Electric
(888) 211-1313
NGRID Gas
(800) 233-5325
Saving Energy, Saving Money
If your household qualifies for Home Energy Assistance, you may be eligible for no-cost energy improvements that will make your home more comfortable and more affordable. Homeowners and renters may also receive help to repair or replace an inefficient or inoperable heating system. Contact Action, Inc., NSCAP’s Energy Services Program for more details at (978) 283-2131, ext 258, or visit https://actionincenergy.org
If you are interested in our CNA Training Program, please review the requirements above.
Text Alex for more information: 978-717-3137
Do you speak English, but need to prepare for your HiSET/GED?
NSCAP does not offer HiSET or GED classes at this time. Contact our partners for program availability.
About NSCAP
NSCAP provides social services that enable families and individuals to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to become economically self-sufficient, and civically engaged, and to live in dignity and decency.
Get Involved
Contact Us
119 Rear Foster Street, Building 13
Peabody, MA 01960
fuelassistance@nscap.org
978-531-0767 x136
978-531-1297
