ACS Youth Coalition - Adams, Cheshire and Savoy Youth Coalition
Heat & Energy
LIHEAP
Fuel Assistance or LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is available to help with home heating and energy costs. LIHEAP eligibility is based on gross household income. Both homeowners and renters in Massachusetts may apply for this low-income energy assistance program.
Citizens Energy
Citizens Energy heat assistance programs help low-income people who cannot afford to pay their heating bills. Citizens Energy has a program for people who use heating oil, and a program for people who heat with natural gas. More information on this program can be found online at www.citizensenergy.com, or by calling 1-877-JOE-4-OIL.
Good Neighbor Energy Fund
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps Massachusetts residents pay for winter heating fuel and other energy bills. The Fund is for people who are facing a short-term financial crisis and do not qualify for other fuel assistance programs. It is a joint effort between the gas and electric utility companies and The Salvation Army. More information on this program is available by calling 1-800-262-1320.
To see if your family is eligible for any of these programs, you can contact the Berkshire Community Action Council, Inc. (BCAC) in North Adams at (413) 663-3014 or in Pittsfield at (413) 445-4503. You may also be eligible for weatherization services or heating system repairs. In addition, most gas, electric, and telephone companies give discount rates to people receiving fuel assistance. Online, you can visit www.massresources.org to get information on many different resources that are available to residents of Massachusetts.
Food
Food Stamps (Information provided by Project Bread)
Food stamps help just when you need it most. But many people don't think that they can get food stamps. You don't have to be on welfare (TAFDC) to get food stamp benefits. And you may be eligible even if you are working. It all depends on your income, the money you have saved, and how many people live in your household. If you meet certain guidelines, you can get food stamps.
Any Massachusetts resident can now apply online from home, a library, school or work, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week whenever it's most convienient for them. Applicants will be directed to complete a simple screening form to estimate eligibility. The food stamp application can then be completed and sent electronically to the local DTA office where it is processed. In a few days, a DTA worker will contact the applicant to schedule an interview and request certain documents. To find the online application, go to www.mass.gov/dta and under "Key Resources" click "Apply Online".
When you get food stamps, you will be given an account, like a bank account. You will also get a plastic card called the Mass EBT card. Each month, your food stamp benefits are put into your account. You can use your EBT card at grocery stores, convenience stores, markets, and co-ops. You use them the same way someone would buy food with a bankcard or a credit card.
WIC
WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health and other social services to participants at no charge. WIC serves low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. For more information, please call 1-800-942-1007