'heat included' get fuel assistance too

Boylston MA

Description

Did you know that if you have your heat "included" in your rent, you still qualify for fuel assistance? Because the heat is a large cost, the landlord will always raise the rent accordingly. Thus, you're still paying for the heat, just in a different way than when you pay the gas/ oil/ electric bill yourself. Sometimes, though, it has seemed counter intuitive for some folks to expect help from Fuel Assistance when the heat is "just part of their rent". So don't do dat! Fuel Assistance is worth about $500 of heating costs, generally. If you pay the bills yourself, separately, LIHEAP (or Federal Gov't. "Fuel Assistance") programs will pay your bills (separately) up to that limit which your income/ costs qualifies you for. But if your heating bills are paid by the landlord, they just send you a check for the amount you qualify for, probably $400-$600, in one lump sum. Same difference! Another thing: even middle income homeowners can qualify for Fuel Assistance with minimal financial burdens. So if you didn't know you could qualify, get an application into your local Fuel Assistance office by April 30th, and you can still get financial help with heating for this winter yet.