Learn about Home Energy Assistance - HEAP

The Massachusetts home energy assistance program (HEAP) is a free resource to help eligible households pay a portion of winter heating bills.

It is free to apply. You can apply online or in person through a network of local service providers. No matter what type of heating source you have, HEAP may be able to help you pay your winter heating bills. All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.

The program is 100% free for those who qualify. Beware of scams by people charging an “application fee” to help submit an application.

Program Eligibility Information

Eligibility for home energy assistance is based on several factors, including but not limited to household size and combined gross annual income of household members. Homeowners and renters, including households whose cost of heat is included in rent, can apply.

For detailed information on criteria used for eligibility, please contact your local agency.
 

To find your agency:

• Check the Online Portal or use this lookup tool
• Call Cold Relief Heatline: [phone].
• Read the FY 2025 Cold Relief Brochure (ID your local agency by matching the number next to your town name to the agency number)

Income Eligibility:
Household income cannot exceed 60% of Massachusetts’ estimated State Median Income.

While income is not the only factor in eligibility, please find the maximum FY 2025 income guidelines in the table below and in this FY 2025 HEAP Income Eligibility & Benefit Chart - May 8, 2025 (in the “60% of estimated state median income” column).

Household Size	Maximum Income Level
1	$49,196
2	$64,333
3	$79,470
4	$94,608
5	$109,745
6	$124,882
7	$127,720
8	$130,559
9	$133,397
10	$136,235

*Not all income counts toward eligibility, so please confirm your actual eligibility with your local agency.

FY2026 HEAP Income Eligibility & Benefit Chart- June 2, 2025

How to Apply

The online application opens on October 1 for the upcoming heating season (November 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025). You can submit an application online, in person at the HEAP agency in your area, or by mail. Use the HEAP portal to find your agency or start the application. Households must apply each year.

• First time applicants must participate in an intake appointment, to get started please submit an online application or contact your local agency.
• Applications are mailed to households after the first year and can be renewed online, in person, or by mail.

Necessary Documents

As part of the application process, please be prepared to share necessary information, including but not limited to:

• photo identification for the head of household or primary applicant (e.g., driver’s license)
• a list of all household members
• information on your heating bills (e.g., heating company name and account number)
• information on your housing situation (e.g., an active lease or mortgage statement
• proof of income for 30 days prior to application date (e.g., wages, pension)

Eligible Costs and Payment System

This program helps to pay for a portion of the cost of your primary source of heat which includes, but is not limited to: Oil, Electricity, Natural Gas, Propane, Kerosene, Wood, Coal, etc.

In addition, if eligible, discounts are automatically given on electric and gas bills for investor-owned electric and gas utilities.

• How is the payment made? Payments for actual usage or fuel delivery are made directly to the heating vendor.
• Which months can be covered? The program helps pay for a portion of your household energy costs from November 1^st to April 30^th.  

Funding Amount Information

Each year, the amount of money we can provide to support eligible household's changes depending on how much funding is allocated to Massachusetts by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Housing subsidies also determine the specific benefit level.

Benefit Level Chart:

FY 2025 HEAP Income Eligibility & Benefit Chart - May 8, 2025

Related Programs

By applying for HEAP, you are also applying to the following federally funded programs.

Heating System Repair & Replacement Program (HEARTWAP)

HEARTWAP provides emergency heating system repair and replacement services to low-income households. The Heating System Repair and Replacement Program is administered through a local network of organizations, most of the same that oversee HEAP, and your HEAP application is the same application for the HEARTWAP program. 

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

WAP provides eligible households with full-scale home energy efficiency services. The program is funded by an annual grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, and administered by a network of local agencies, in many areas the same agency that administers the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP or fuel assistance).   

Supporting Program Documents

FY2025 HEAP State Plan

FY2026 State Plan DRAFT

Margin Over Rack (MOR)

FY 24 Margin Over Rack (MOR) Prices

Additional Housing Resources

If you are looking for additional housing related support, including weatherization, housing vouchers, public housing, avoiding eviction, etc. please call 211 or check the EOHLC  Resource Locator (select your town from the drop-down at the top to populate the table with the resources for your region).  

This website is supported by grants from the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services.