Town Offers Winter Ultility Assistance Information

Source: amherstma.gov 

The Town of Amherst hopes to help people stay warm and meet their essential needs this winter. The list below outlines local options for fuel and utility assistance.

CRESS Support for Residents Seeking Utility Assistance
CRESS Responders will assist individuals in understanding and accessing help that may be available.
CRESS Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 8:00AM – 4:00PM (walk-ins welcome)
Saturday: 10:00AM –6:00PM (accessible via phone/appointment)
Remember CRESS is here to help.  Just call us at 413-259-3370 or stop by our office, located on the second floor of the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.
CRESS website: https://www.amherstma.gov/3655/Community-Responders-for-Equity-Safety-S

Utility Assistance Resources
Community Action Pioneer Valley: (English & Spanish)
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
This free service helps to pay for part of your winter heating costs by making payments to your fuel or electricity provider. It can help to pay for oil, kerosene, propane, natural gas, electricity, wood, pellets and biobricks.

Eligibility:
1.  You are a homeowner or renter in Franklin or Hampshire Counties
2.  You meet the income guidelines.
3.  At least one person in your household is a citizen, legal resident, or has qualified alien status.

Website with application: https://www.communityaction.us/program/fuel-assistance/
Direct link to application: https://www.toapply.org/CA

To schedule appointment for in-person application assistance: Phone: 413-774-2310
Email: liheap@communityaction.us

When applying, please be prepared to share necessary information, including:

• ·photo identification
• a list of all household member
• proof of income
• information on your heating bills
• an active lease or mortgage statement 
• Note: Households need to reapply each year

Weatherization Assistance Program
Eligibility: Households that are eligible for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) are eligible for weatherization services. In addition, households with members receiving TAFDC or SSI are categorically eligible. Eligibility is based on a maximum gross annual income that does not exceed 60% of the Estimated State Median Income. Priority is give to those households with elderly, disabled, children ages six and under, LIHEAP high energy costs, and Native Americans. Home owners and tenants with the landlord’s permission are eligible.

Households may also be eligible for a variety of utility-funded energy efficiency programs that vary by Utility service area. The most common measures are:

• ·Air sealing to reduce infiltration
• Attic Insulation
• Sidewall InsulationFloor Insulation
• Pipe and/or Duct insulation
• Limited Energy Related Repairs.

Homes also receive a thorough evaluation of the heating system as well as health and safety testing of all combustion appliances. Local licensed and insured private-sector weatherization contractors complete the work at no cost to residents. The local agency inspects all completed work to be certain that the authorized work was completed in a satisfactory manner.

Application here: : https://www.masscap.org/heatinghelpma/

WAYFINDERS: (English & Spanish)
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). The RAFT program helps keep households stable while facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. RAFT provides qualifying households with up to $7000 per household in a 12-month period to help preserve current housing, or move to new housing. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent or mortgage payments.  For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent in arrears, a notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. Renters, homeowners or landlords can apply by submitting an online application.

Phone: 413-233-1600 or email: info@wayfinders.org 
Phone line hours: Monday – Friday 9am-4pm
Must have shut off notice for utility assistance
For rent, must be in crisis or emergency (houseless, loss of job, couch-surfing, facing eviction).  https://www.wayfinders.org/emergency-financial-housing-assistance

Application Here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-apply-for-raft-emergency-financial-assistance-for-housing

Mass Save
Enhanced Weatherization Incentive & No-Cost Energy Assessments
Apply through website: https://masssave-qualify.clearesult.com/

Participate in a No-Cost Energy Assessment: Contact your Mass Save Sponsor (listed below) to schedule a no-cost energy assessment before installation . A qualified vendor will contact you to determine existing conditions at your facility and identify potential energy saving measures during an in-person or virtual assessment. Recommended improvements will be installed by a vendor qualified by the Sponsors of Mass Save. https://www.masssave.com/en/heatpump/hvac-specialist

Gas: Berkshire Gas
https://www.berkshiregas.com/
Email: efficiency@berkshiregas.com 
Phone: 1-800-944-3212

Electric: Eversource
www.eversource.com
Email: efficiencyma@eversource.com 
Phone: 1-844-887-1400

Solar: Eversource
https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/save-money-energy/clean-energy-options/solar-energy/smart-program
Email: efficiencyma@eversource.com
Phone: 1-844-887-1400

Heat Loan: 0% Interest. 100% Easy.
Mass Save offers zero interest financing opportunities up to $50,000* total for energy-efficient home upgrades.  https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/rebates-and-incentives/heat-loan-program

Eligibility Requirements:

• The HEAT Loan is available to qualified customers participating in the Mass Save Program.
• Loan applicant must be the homeowner.
• Residents must have a current residential electric account.
• Municipal electric customers can take advantage of the HEAT Loan offer if the home is heated with natural gas, provided by a Mass Save Program Sponsor.
• Financing is only available for qualifying energy-efficient improvements outlined within the HEAT Loan packet.
• Financing is contingent upon loan approval from a participating lender.

Rebates: incentives, eligibility and how to apply on respective sites below  https://www.mass.gov/guides/massachusetts-energy-rebates-incentives 
Heat pumps: https://www.masssave.com/residential/rebates-and-incentives/air-source-heat-pumps 

Thermostats: https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/heating-and-cooling/thermostats 

Water Heaters:https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/water-heating-and-pipe-insulation/water-heaters 

Multi-Family Properties: https://www.masssave.com/multi-family/energy-assessments/multi-family-facilities-5-units-plus

Customized Rebates
Can’t find what you’re looking for? The Sponsors of Mass Save offer customized project support to help your business save energy and money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions: https://www.masssave.com/en/business/programs-and-  services/custom-incentives-and-technical-support/custom-incentives

Full list of rebates offered by Mass Save: https://www.masssave.com/residential/rebates-and-  incentives#heating-and-cooling

Other Resources
Cold Relief Heatline: (800) 632-8175 (English & Spanish)

Cold Relief Brochure by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy-2024-cold-relief-brochure-0/download

Resources for Commercial Customers
Mass Save Rebates:

Boiler & Furnace Rebates: Commercial: https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/heating-and-cooling/boilers-and-furnaces Phone: 888-855-0340

Pipe Insulation: Small Business
https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/water-heating-and-pipe-insulation/pipe-insulation

Weatherization Rebates: Commercial
Work with a licensed weatherization contractor to discuss your weatherization project and determine rebate eligibility. Upon completion of installation, apply for a rebate by submitting all required documentation by email to your Mass Save Sponsor.

For customers of Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Liberty Utilities, or Unitil, notification and approval of the project is required prior to installation.

Download & Email Rebate Form: https://www.masssave.com/-/media/Files/PDFs/Business/rebate-forms/2023-  Retrofit-Weatherization.pdf

Rebate Documentation Requirements:

• Completed and signed rebate form.
• Copy of invoice from a licensed installer/vendor attached, including:
• Installation date.
• Installation address.
• Insulation material, inches, R-value, sq. ft. installed.
• Square footage of attic air sealing.
• Total itemized installation cost.
• Installation company/contractor name and address. 
• Copy of W-9 for payee. 
• “Before” and “after” photographic documentation of attic spaces to be insulated or air sealed.