Whether you heat your home with gas, oil, or electricity, recent news announcing rising fuel costs may stress not only you, but also your family budget. Experienced Massachusetts renters and homeowners are familiar with many ways to stave off high bills—many shared by their own fuel suppliers. But a review of the options may be timely.  Additionally, residents’ personal finances may have changed such that they are in need of financial resources to keep homes warm and comfortable during long cold New England winters.

Tips For Relieving High Fuel Bills

Budget billing is often easily set up with a call to your fuel supplier.  The process involves projecting your energy costs for a year and dividing into 12 equal payments.  The budget bill amount is then a known quantity—rather than receiving a surprisingly high bill during high energy use months.  These budget payments may eliminate late payments or penalties for non-payment. 

Turning the thermostat down is a no-brainer, but installation of a programmable thermostat may also save homeowners money.  Basically, the homeowner or renter matches the daily routine with the heating system. For example, when the occupants are at work, the home would not be heated to the same level as during time the occupants are home. 

Some fuel providers also offer a “price protection plan,” whereby the consumer signs a contract with the utility company.  There are capped and fixed price plans: the cap is the highest price you will pay (for example, per gallon) during the contracted time, but you may pay less during some portion of time.  The fixed price plan is a bit riskier.  It “bets” that the price of fuel will not be greater than this fixed amount during the time you’ve contracted. We have seen fixed plans work at times, but during years when prices decreased, the consumer has had to pay the higher price. 

If you haven’t yet—or are due for a new one—the MASS Save Program offers great incentives and rebates, and this could be the year to take full advantage!  This program helps homeowners save money through not only rebates, but also training and resources to help residents make energy efficient upgrades.  The MASS Save home assessment will target the areas in most need of improvements.  The results of your home assessment and your household income may provide you with a route to future energy savings. 

Holliston residents can save money on electricity through a special pricing plan. “Officially called the Holliston Community Choice Power Supply Program, the Town has procured a low cost, 100% renewable source of electricity for you to consider as your Supplier. On your electric bill, the service is broken up into two parts– you have to pay the local utility (Eversource) for the Delivery component, but you have a choice in who to use as your Supplier.” Click here to learn more – > https://www.townofholliston.us/sustainability/news/join-the-electric-aggregation-program

Fuel Assistance Sources

I sent a note to Town Departments to gather resources for residents in need of assistance.  The first responder to my request for fuel funding resources was Jaclyn Winer, Director of Holliston’s Youth and Family Services, who sent the following list of resources both within and outside of Holliston:

(Jackie has also developed a community resource guide for Holliston: https://www.townofholliston.us/system/files/uploads/holliston_community_resources.pdf)

The Holliston Senior Center

• Provides: Financial assistance with fuel bills (Program runs November 1-April 30, 2023)
• Clientele: Holliston homeowners and renters—regardless of age—in need of assistance
• Location: 150 Goulding St, Holliston, MA 01746
• Contact Information: For information or to set up an appointment, call Melicia DaCosta, Outreach Coordinator (508) 429-0622  https://www.townofholliston.us/senior-center

The Holliston Community Action Fund

• Provides: Emergency Assistance Grant program provides grants to residents in need
• Clientele: Any Holliston resident in need of assistance. The grant program is driven through the Holliston Youth and Family Services Department and all applications go through them.
• Website: https://hollistoncommunityaction.org/

Metrowest Veterans Services

• Provides: Direct emergency financial assistance to veterans and their dependents in need
• Clientele: Veterans and their dependents in Holliston
• Location: 1750 Washington Street, Holliston, MA 01746
• Telephone & Contact Info: 508-429-0629
• Website: https://www.townofholliston.us/veteran-services

St. Vincent de Paul Society- The Good Neighbor Fund

• Provides: Social services, resources and financial assistance to those in need across the United States.
• Clientele: Metrowest residents in need.
• Location: Multiple conferences in the Metrowest area: 173 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762; 507 Park Ave, Worcester, MA 01603; 18 Canton St, Stoughton, MA 02072
• Telephone & Contact Info: Plainville: (508) 695-5150; Worcester: (508) 752-4232; Stoughton: (781) 344-3100
• Website: http://www.magoodneighbor.org/assistance.html

SMOC (Southern Massachusetts Opportunity Council) Fuel Assistance

• Provides: Eligible households in 37 communities receive assistance paid directly to their heating vendor. The program is designed to help low-income people afford the cost of heat in the winter months.
• Clientele: Eligibility is based on gross annual income and family size.
• Location: 7 Bishop Street Framingham MA 01702-8313
• Telephone & Contact Info: Call (508) 620-1230 or 1 (800) 286-6776 for more info
• Website: https://www.smoc.org/smoc-fuel-assistance.php

Massachusetts Energy Assistance

• Provides: Eligible households receive help in paying a portion of winter heating bills.
• Clientele: Massachusetts Homeowners and renters are eligible – including households whose cost of heat is included in the rent and not subsidized.
• Location: Managed by the MA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD); 100 Cambridge St, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114
• Telephone & Contact Info: DHCD: (617) 573-1100; Cold Relief Heatline (800) 632-8175
• Website: https://www.masscap.org/heatinghelpma/

MASS 211

Provides: Mass 211 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community. It serves as a resource for finding government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources.

• Clientele: Massachusetts residents
• Location: Over the phone
• Telephone & Contact Info: Dial 2-1-1, or 1-877-211-MASS (6277), available 24/7.

According to a recent Boston Globe article (click here), “Companies including Eversource and National Grid offer forgiveness of past-due balances and discounted rated for eligible low-income families. And every household, regardless of income, can reach out to the utilities and set up a payment plan on a past due amount. As long as the agreed-upon payments are made, service won’t be cut off.”  Additionally, elders and low-income families who are seriously ill or have a baby under one year of age are protected against shutoffs.

In the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors, it maybe that directing someone to Holliston’s available fuel assistance resources is exactly how we can help.