Massachusetts fuel assistance applications open November 1, 2026 and run through April 30, 2027. The income limits are higher than most people assume, and the benefit is worth more than the heating check itself.
Who qualifies
Eligibility runs to 60% of the state median income, which for the 2027 program year works out to roughly $53,585 for a household of one and about $142,207 for a household of eight, with the intermediate household sizes scaled between.
Those are gross income figures, and they are considerably higher than the thresholds for SNAP or MassHealth. A great many households that assume they earn too much for assistance do qualify here. A single person earning $50,000 qualifies. A family of four in the low six figures qualifies.
Two points that trip people up:
You do not have to own your home. Renters are eligible.
You qualify even if heat is included in your rent. This is the most commonly missed rule in the entire program. If your landlord pays the heating bill and it is built into what you pay, you can still apply.
Any heating fuel counts: gas, oil, electric, propane, kerosene, wood, or coal.
Why the application is worth more than the check
The heating benefit is the visible part. Approval is also the gateway to a set of other programs that are individually worth more than the fuel payment:
- Discounted utility rates. Gas and electric companies offer reduced rates to customers verified as low income, and LIHEAP approval is the usual proof.
- Weatherization. Insulation, air sealing, and related work at no cost, which lowers bills permanently rather than for one winter.
- Heating system repair or replacement. If your furnace or boiler fails, there is a program for it, and eligibility flows from fuel assistance.
- Arrearage forgiveness. Programs that reduce or forgive past-due utility balances for customers who stay current going forward.
- Protected customer status. This is the one that matters most in January. Verified low-income status carries shutoff protections during the heating season.
Applying early matters for exactly that reason. If you wait until you have a shutoff notice, you are trying to establish eligibility during the same week you are trying to keep the heat on.
How to apply
Applications are handled by local community action agencies rather than by a single state office, so where you apply depends on where you live. You can apply online at the state’s LIHEAP portal, by phone, or in person by appointment.
Two of the larger regional intake numbers:
- Boston, Brookline, Newton: 617-357-6012
- Malden, Medford, Melrose, Everett, Winchester, Woburn, Stoneham: 781-322-6284
Have ready: proof of identity, proof of the past four weeks of gross income for everyone 18 and older, a recent heating bill or your lease if heat is included, and proof of your address.
What else is open this fall
Fuel assistance is one of several windows that open in the same stretch, and they are easy to miss together:
- October 15 through December 7: Medicare fall open enrollment, for coverage beginning January 1, 2027. The request must be received by December 7, not merely mailed.
- October 23 through January 23: Health Connector open enrollment, which starts earlier than usual this year. December 23 is the deadline for coverage beginning January 1. We covered the three changes for 2027, including the roughly 35,000 people who lose subsidy eligibility.
- October 24: voter registration deadline for the November 3 state election. Early voting runs October 17 through October 30, and applications for a mail ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m. on October 27.
If your household is applying for fuel assistance, it is also worth checking whether you qualify for SNAP, since the income thresholds and the documents are different but the paperwork overlaps.
Common questions
When can I apply for fuel assistance in Massachusetts?
Applications open November 1, 2026 and close April 30, 2027. Applying early is better because approval unlocks shutoff protections and other programs.
What is the income limit for LIHEAP in Massachusetts?
60% of state median income, roughly $53,585 for a household of one up to about $142,207 for a household of eight for the 2027 program year.
Can I get fuel assistance if heat is included in my rent?
Yes. This is the most commonly missed eligibility rule. Renters whose heat is included in rent may still apply.
Do I have to own my home?
No. Renters and homeowners are both eligible.
What else does approval get me?
Discounted utility rates, free weatherization, heating system repair or replacement, arrearage forgiveness programs, and protected customer status against winter shutoff.
Figures reflect the FY2027 program year as published. Verify household-size thresholds with your local agency when you apply.