LIHEAP Massachusetts: HEAP Fuel Assistance for Winter Heating Costs

In Massachusetts, this assistance is provided through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), often simply called Fuel Assistance. It can help eligible homeowners and renters cover part of their winter heating costs, even when they are not already behind on a bill.

Residents can review the state's official Massachusetts HEAP information before applying to check current program requirements and seasonal updates.

97 Options is an independent energy comparison service and does not administer Massachusetts HEAP or other public-assistance programs.

Massachusetts Heating Help Goes Beyond One Program

For the 2026–27 heating season, Massachusetts households may have more than one route to energy assistance.

Regular HEAP Fuel Assistance remains the main program for households that fall within the state's income requirements. Massachusetts has also introduced a separate Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief option for certain households that earn too much for regular HEAP but still face high oil-heating costs.

That creates an important distinction for residents researching heating help. Being above the regular LIHEAP Massachusetts income limit does not necessarily mean every form of assistance is unavailable, particularly for households that heat with #2 home heating oil.

2026–27 Massachusetts HEAP Income Limits

Massachusetts currently uses 60% of estimated State Median Income (SMI) as the maximum income level for regular HEAP eligibility.

The current annual limits are:

Last reviewed: October 2026

These figures provide a useful starting point, but they should not be treated as an automatic eligibility decision. Income treatment can depend on the type and source of household income, so residents close to the limit should allow the HEAP agency to make the final determination.

How Much Can Massachusetts HEAP Provide?

Fuel Assistance does not provide the same amount to every approved household.

For FY27, current state information lists estimated HEAP assistance of approximately:

Households using heating oil, propane, kerosene, or another delivered fuel may fall within the first category. Homes primarily heated by natural gas or electricity may fall within the utility-heating category.

The actual benefit can depend on household income, family size, heating costs, fuel type, housing circumstances, and available funding. Residents can review the state's current FY27 home-energy assistance information while checking the latest benefit levels.

The top figure in a benefit range should not be read as a guaranteed payment.

Fuel Assistance Is Not Limited to Oil-Heated Homes

Heating oil is important in Massachusetts, but Fuel Assistance Massachusetts covers more than oil.

Depending on eligibility and the home's primary heating source, HEAP may help households using:

• Heating oil

• Natural gas

• Electricity

• Propane

• Kerosene

• Wood

• Coal

• Other approved residential heating fuels

Someone with electric or natural-gas heat should therefore not assume that a program called “Fuel Assistance” is only intended for households with oil tanks.

The 2026–27 Application Window

The online Massachusetts HEAP application opened on October 1, 2026, ahead of the main winter heating season.

Key dates for the current program year are:

• October 1, 2026: Online applications opened

• November 1, 2026: HEAP heating-assistance period began

• April 30, 2027: Current heating season and application period end

First-time applicants must complete the required intake process. Returning households generally receive renewal information and may have different options for completing their yearly application.

Households ready to apply can use the Massachusetts HEAP application process and then follow the instructions for their local administering agency.

Applying earlier in the season can leave more time to resolve missing paperwork or income-verification issues before heating needs become urgent.

What Information Should You Prepare?

HEAP agencies need enough information to confirm who lives in the household, how much income comes into the home, and how the property is heated.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, requested documents may include:

• Proof of household income

• Identification

• Information about household members

• Lease or housing documentation

• Heating vendor information

• Utility or fuel account details

• Other records requested during the intake process

First-time applicants should pay particular attention to instructions from their local agency because completing an online form may not be the only step required.

Renters Can Apply for Massachusetts Fuel Assistance

Homeownership is not required for HEAP.

Qualifying renters may apply for Massachusetts heating assistance, including some households where the cost of heat is already included in rent.

That is useful for renters who may assume they cannot qualify simply because the heating account is controlled by a landlord.

Rental circumstances still matter. The way assistance is calculated can differ for households in subsidized housing or where heating expenses are bundled into rent, so applicants should accurately explain who pays for heat and how those costs are included in their housing arrangement.

Above the HEAP Limit but Heat With Oil?

Massachusetts has created an additional option for some households that fall above regular HEAP income limits.

The Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief program is aimed at households that:

• Use #2 home heating oil

• Have income above the regular 60% SMI HEAP limit

• Remain within the program's higher income ceiling

• Meet the other eligibility requirements

Eligible households may receive a one-time benefit of up to $680, with applications beginning in December 2026.

For example, the regular HEAP income ceiling for a four-person household is $103,049, while the temporary oil-relief program extends assistance to qualifying four-person households with income up to $171,749.

Households above regular HEAP limits can review the Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief requirements before deciding that their income automatically makes them ineligible for help.

This program is specifically tied to qualifying #2 heating-oil households and is separate from regular LIHEAP assistance.

When Low Fuel Becomes an Emergency

A household trying to lower normal heating costs is in a different position from someone whose fuel tank is nearly empty or whose heating service is about to be disconnected.

Massachusetts agencies may treat situations involving no heat, dangerously low delivered-fuel supplies, or threatened utility disconnection as heating emergencies.

Households facing an urgent situation should contact their local Fuel Assistance agency as soon as possible instead of waiting until the tank is empty or the heating service has already been shut off.

Utility customers should also contact their electric or gas company directly. Payment plans, discount programs, arrearage assistance, or seasonal protections may be available separately from HEAP.

HEAP Can Connect Households With Home Heating Repairs

For some families, paying for fuel does not solve the real problem. A broken or unsafe heating system can leave a home without adequate heat even when fuel is available.

Massachusetts' Heating System Repair and Replacement Program (HEARTWAP) helps qualifying low-income households address eligible heating-system problems.

The program can be particularly important when a heating system is unsafe, defective, or no longer operating.

HEARTWAP serves a different purpose from the regular HEAP benefit: HEAP helps with heating costs, while HEARTWAP focuses on the equipment needed to heat the home.

Weatherization Can Reduce Future Energy Use

Massachusetts also connects income-qualified households with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

Instead of paying a current heating bill, weatherization focuses on the building itself. Approved work can help reduce wasted energy and make a home more efficient over time.

Depending on the assessment and program rules, improvements may address insulation, air leakage, or other energy-efficiency needs.

This gives households another way to deal with high energy costs: HEAP can provide short-term heating assistance, while weatherization can help reduce energy use over the longer term.

Electric and Gas Bill Assistance Is Changing in 2026–27

Massachusetts is also changing how certain income-eligible electric and gas discounts work.

Beginning November 1, 2026, qualifying customers can receive tiered discount rates based on household income and household size.

These utility discounts are separate from regular HEAP benefits.

A household struggling with electric or gas costs can check the state's utility bill assistance and discount options to see which current programs may apply.

Customers with substantial overdue balances may also qualify for an Arrearage Management Program (AMP). Depending on the utility and eligibility rules, AMP can help reduce qualifying past-due balances while the customer continues making required current payments.

A household may therefore use HEAP for heating assistance while separately receiving a utility discount or arrearage support.

Compare Massachusetts Electricity Supply Carefully

Public energy assistance and electricity-plan shopping are two different things.

HEAP, utility discounts, HEARTWAP, weatherization, and similar assistance programs are handled through government agencies, utilities, and authorized program administrators.

Separately, Massachusetts residents in eligible utility territories may have the option to choose a competitive electricity supplier instead of using their utility's Basic Service.

Before switching supply, consumers should review:

• Supply rate

• Contract length

• Fixed or variable pricing

• Renewal conditions

• Cancellation terms

• Current utility Basic Service rate

Price should be considered together with the full contract terms rather than viewed on its own.

Enter your ZIP code below to review available electricity-plan options through 97 Options.

The 97 Options ZIP tool does not search for LIHEAP benefits, determine HEAP eligibility, or process Massachusetts Fuel Assistance applications.

Understand Your Existing Energy Bill With Maya

Comparing energy options is easier when the current bill makes sense first.

Maya by 97 Options can help users review information already shown on their energy bill, including:

• Energy usage

• Supply rate

• Supplier details

• Supply charges

• Other bill charges

• Overall energy costs

This can make it easier to understand what is driving the current bill before comparing other available energy options.

Maya analyzes bill information. It does not determine LIHEAP or HEAP eligibility, approve benefits, or submit public-assistance applications.

Massachusetts Energy Assistance Resources

Eligibility and benefit decisions are made by the agencies or organizations responsible for each program.

Important Disclaimer

97 Options provides independent energy-comparison information and operates separately from Massachusetts HEAP and other government assistance programs. Eligibility, benefit amounts, funding, deadlines, and program rules are determined by the responsible agencies and may change. Applicants should confirm current requirements through official Massachusetts resources before applying.