Fuel Assistance

Community Teamwork, Inc.
Energy Programs
45 Kirk St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459-6161

Fuel Assistance

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), more commonly known as fuel assistance, is designed to help households with their heating costs when their income falls within the federal poverty guidelines.
The program pays benefits of fixed amounts based on household income and size. An additional benefit is available to eligible households with a high energy burden. CTI will determine household eligibility based on annualized income and the number of members in the household.

Fiscal Year 2010
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Maximum Income and Benefits Levels

Family Size	100% of Poverty	125% of Poverty	150% of Poverty	175% of Poverty	200% of Poverty	60% of Estimated State Median Income
1	$10,830	$13,538	$16,245	$18,953	$21,660	$29,126
2	$14,570	$18,213	$21,855	$25,498	$29,140	$38,087
3	$18,310	$22,888	$27,465	$32,043	$36,620	$47,049
4	$22,050	$27,563	$33,075	$38,588	$44,100	$56,011
5	$25,790	$32,238	$38,685	$45,133	$51,580	$64,973
6	$29,530	$36,913	$44,295	$51,678	$59,060	$73,935
7	$33.270	$41,588	$49,905	$58,223	$66,540	$75,6154
8	$37,010	$46,263	$55,515	$64,768	$74,020	$77,295
9	$40,750	$50,930	$61,125	$71,313	$78,976	$78,976
10	$44,490	$55,613	$66,735	$77,858	$80,656	$80,656
11	$48,230	$60,288	$$72,345	$82,336	$82,336	$82,336
12	$51,970	$64,963	$77,955	$84,107	$84,017	$84,017

Homeowners and Non-Subsidized Housing Tenants

Deliverable Fuel (Oil, Propane, Kerosene & Other)	$1,240	$1,120	$1,015	$925	$925	$845
Utility and Other Clients	$1,055	$935	$830	$740	$740	$660
High Energy Benefits	$100	$90	$80	$70	$70	$60

Subsidized Housing Tenants

Deliverable Fuel (Oil, Propane, Kerosene & Other)	$750	$690	$635	$590	$590	$550
Utility and Other Clients	$565	$505	$450	$405	$405	$365
High Energy Benefits	$100	$90	$80	$70	$70	$60

Heating Type High Energy Thresholds:

Heating Oil	$1,665
Natural Gas	$1,270
Electricity	$1,690
Other	$1,340

Cities and Towns served:
Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Lexington, Lowell, Pepperell, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Waltham, Watertown, Westford, Wilmington

When can I apply?
Households can apply between November 1st and April 30th of each year. Applicants who are denied assistance have the right to appeal the decision with Community Teamwork, Inc. Fuel Assistance.

How do I apply?
First time applicants must apply in person at Community Teamwork Inc. or one of our Satellite Intake Sites. A face to face interview with an Intake Worker is required for the initial application.
Clients who applied the previous year will be mailed a pre-printed application that the client will check for accuracy and update any incorrect information, sign and mail the application along with updated income documentation for everyone in the household.

Where do I apply?
You can call and make an appointment at our main office (45 Kirk St., Lowell, MA) or call and make an appointment at one of our Satellite Sites listed below.

Sites	Office Hours
45 Kirk St, 2nd Floor Lowell, MA 01852	Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 4:30PM Wednesdays: 8:30AM – 7:00PM
20 Academy St, 2nd Floor Arlington, MA 02476	Monday – Thursday 8:30AM – 3:30PM Friday 8:30AM - 12:00PM

* Arlington Site is open November 1st – April 30th only.

Office hours vary from site to site. Please call for appointment.
Please make sure you fit the client criteria at Satellite Site before calling for appointment.

FUEL ASSISTANCE INTAKE SITES 2009 - 2010

Town	Location All Clients	Contact #
ARLINGTON	Senior Center - 2nd Floor	781-643-2358
BELMONT	20 Academy Street 2nd Floor Arlington 02476
WALTHAM
WATERTOWN
BEDFORD	Town Center - 12 Mudge Way Bedford 01730	781-275-7727
BILLERICA	Billerica Town Hall – V.A. Office	978-671-0968
TEWKSBURY	365 Boston Rd Billerica 01821	978-671-0969
WILMINGTON
BURLINGTON	Town Hall – V.A. Office – 61 Center St Burlington 01803	781-270-1959
CARLISLE	Council on Aging – 66 Westford St Carlisle 01741	978-371-2895
CHELMSFORD
DUNSTABLE
LOWELL	Community Teamwork, Inc.	978-459-6161
TYNGSBORO	45 Kirk St 2nd Floor Lowell 01854
DRACUT	Council on Aging – 951 Mammoth Rd Dracut 01826	978-957-2611
GROTON	Town Hall / Town Clerk's Office – 173 Main St Groton 01450	978-448-1100
LEXINGTON	Senior Center – 1475 Mass Ave Lexington 02420	781-861-0194
PEPPERELL	PACH Outreach 19 Jersey St. Pepperell 01463	978-925-8052
WESTFORD	Cameron Senior Center – 10 Church St. - PO Box 2223 Westford 01886	978-692-5523
Town	Location Seniors Only	Contact #
BEDFORD	Council on Aging – 12 Mudge Way Bedford 01730	781-275-6825
BELMONT	Council on Aging – 266 Beech Street, Belmont 02478	617-993-2979
BURLINGTON	Senior Center – 61 Center St Burlington 01803	781-270-1950
CHELMSFORD	Senior Center – 75 Groton Rd North Chelmsford 01863	978-251-0533
DUNSTABLE	Town Hall – COA – 511 Main St Dunstable 01827	978-649-8892
GROTON	Town Hall – Senior Center – 173 Main St RT 225 Groton 01450	978-448-1170
LOWELL	Senior Center - 276 Broadway St Lowell 01854	978-970-4131
PEPPERELL	Council on Aging - 37 Nashua Rd. Pepperell 01463	978-4330326
TEWKSBURY	Senior Center – 176 Chandler St Tewksbury 01876	978-640-4482
TYNGSBORO	Council on Aging – 180 Lakeview Ave Tyngsboro 01879	978-649-9211
WALTHAM	Council on Aging – 488 Main St Waltham 02452	781-314-3301
WATERTOWN	Senior Center – 31 Marshall St Watertown 02472	617-972-6490
WILMINGTON	Buzzell Senior Center – 15 School St Wilmington 01887	978-657-7595
LANGUAGE
Town	Location	Contact #
LOWELL	Portuguese Only-MA Alliance of Portuguese Speakers	978-970-1250
	11 Mill St Lowell 01852
WATERTOWN	Spanish Only-Watertown Creative Start	617-926-1082
	26 Chestnut St., Watertown 02472

Required documentation for fuel assistance.
Income documentation must be included from everyone in the household who is 18 years of age and older. This includes:

Four most recent consecutive pay stubs from date of application or a letter from your employer indicating gross wages for the same time period. (Must be on employer's letterhead stationary).
Social Security numbers of everyone living in the household.
Proof of residency such as a rent receipt or real estate tax bill.
Utility bills including gas, electric, oil, wood, coal, propane or other.

There may be additional required documentation depending on family circumstances, living arrangements, or heating source. When the application is complete (including all required documentation and signatures) households will be notified by mail of their eligibility.
For more information, call the Fuel Assistance Office at (978) 459-6161.
How long will it take to process my application?
It can take 4-6 weeks to process your application. Any missing documentation at the time of your appointment may delay the process of your application.

What number do I call if I have questions?
All questions can be answered by calling 978-459-6161. You have the option to speak to a receptionist or use our automated line. The automated line can give you the status of your application and answer several commonly asked questions.

Links:
Citizen’s Energy Oil - http://www.citizensenergy.com
Salvation Army Good Neighbor Fund -http://www.magoodneighbor.org
CTI Service Flyers (Translated flyers)

What does Fuel Assistance pay for?
The Fuel Assistance Program provides assistance with the cost of your primary source of heating up to a fixed benefit amount including, but not limited to: OIL, ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, PROPANE, KEROSENE, WOOD, and COAL

How are payments made?
Payments for actual usage or fuel delivery are made directly to the heating vendor for primary energy needs from November 1st to April 30th except when the cost of heating is included in the rent.

What other benefits can I receive?
If eligible, discounts are automatically given on:
Electric bills for investor owned electric companies.
Gas bills for investor owned gas utilities.
Telephone bills

Weatherization
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is designed to assist low-income households reduce their heating bills by providing home energy efficiency services. The program is operational year round. After a household is determined eligible, CTI schedules an energy inspection of the home. A Mass. Weatherization Certified Energy Auditor completes an inspection of the energy and health and safety concerns of the home and completes a Work Order/Job Write-Up. Local certified and insured weatherization contractors are hired to complete the work at no cost to the occupants. Typical work includes air sealing, attic and/or sidewall insulation, weather stripping, and minor repairs associated with the weatherization work.

HEARTWAP
The Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP) is designed to provide heating system repair and replacement services to low-income households. The program is operational year round. During the winter months, the program serves primarily as an emergency intervention service to provide assistance to low-income clients having problems with the operation of their primary heating system. Eligible households call CTI and notify HEARTWAP staff when they are having a problem. Heating companies, under contract with CTI, provide services necessary to keep the heating system operating efficiently and safely. Provisions are in place for LIHEAP clients to contact their dealer directly if the emergency occurs during the evening or on weekends. Households with incomes up to 60% of estimated State Median Income are eligible for the HEARTWAP. Program eligibility is based on household eligibility for the current year's LIHEAP Program. Tenants are eligible for some services, but are required to first contact their landlord who is legally responsible for the maintenance of the heating system. HEARTWAP services vary dependent on the specific needs of the home. Replacements are done for unsafe, inoperable, and irreparable heating systems.