Home Energy Assistance
Home Energy Assistance Program
Do You Need Help Keeping Warm This Winter?
Save on Your Heating Bills and Monthly Utility Costs
New England winters are notoriously harsh, and rising energy costs make it increasingly difficult to keep up with heating expenses year after year.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program designed to help income-eligible households manage their winter heating bills. Whether you heat with oil, natural gas, electricity, kerosene, or propane, we are here to help you stay warm and safe.
How It Works
- Coverage Period: The program assists with heating costs incurred between November 1st and April 30th.
- Eligibility: Your eligibility is determined by your gross household income and the number of people living in your home.
- Utility Discounts: If you qualify for LIHEAP, you may also be eligible for an automatic discount on your monthly National Grid utility bills.
Serving Our Neighbors for Over 50 Years
For five decades, thousands of households in Salem, Peabody, Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, and Topsfield have relied on NSCAP to stay warm. If your household meets the income guidelines below, you may be eligible for direct payments toward your heating provider and enrollment in utility discount rates.
Schedule an Appointment/Questions:
Please call (978) 531-0767, ext. 136 to schedule a phone appointment or email energyassistance@nscap.org for more information.
Office Hours:
We are open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. NSCAP’s Home Energy Assistance Program is closed to visitors on Fridays.
Application Status Only:
To hear the status of your application please call our automated status line: (978) 531-8810.
Ready to Apply?
Available October 1st – April 30th
Apply or Recertify Online
The fastest way to submit your information is through our secure online portal. You can assess your eligibility, input household data, and upload required documents directly.
Schedule an Appointment: (978) 531-0767 ext. 136
Email Inquiries: energyassistance@nscap.org
Automated Status Line: (978) 531-8810
(Call here to check on a pending application)
Which process should I follow?
1. First Time Applicants
If you have never applied for Home Energy Assistance with NSCAP before, you are required to have a personal intake interview.
- How to Start: You may start your application via the Online Portal above or call (978) 531-0767 ext. 136 for a phone intake.
- What Happens Next: Once submitted, a caseworker will contact you to review your file and let you know if additional documents are needed.
- What You’ll Need: Please be prepared to provide photo ID, proof of citizenship/legal status, a list of all household members, proof of income, housing information, and your most recent heating bills.
2. Returning Applicants (Recertification)
If you received benefits last season, we make it easy to renew. Please choose only ONE method below to avoid processing delays.
- By Mail: Recertification packets are mailed out between September and December. When you receive your paper application, please review it, make any necessary corrections directly on the form, sign it, and mail it back with your updated income documentation.
- Online: You may skip the paperwork and recertify through the Online Portal link above.
Note: Please do not apply online if you have already mailed in your paper application. Using both methods could delay your approval.
Application Resources & Guides
Use these downloadable guides to ensure your application is complete. Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
English Resources
Recursos en Español
Home Energy Assistance Income Eligibility
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Annual Income* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $51,777* |
| 2 | $67,709* |
| 3 | $83,641* |
| 4 | $99,573* |
| 5 | $115,504* |
| 6 | $131,436* |
| 7 | $134,423* |
| 8 | $137,410* |
If you live outside of NSCAP’s service area, please call (800) 632-8175, or visit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to find the energy assistance agency nearest you.
Helpful Links to Document Your Income
English Links
Hipervínculos en Español
What to Expect: The Approval Timeline
We process applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Because we receive a high volume of requests, we encourage you to file as early as possible to avoid delays in your heating assistance.
The Approval Timeline
Submission & Intake:
Your application is date-stamped and entered into our tracking system the moment it is received.
Initial Review
It can take 6 to 8 weeks (starting November 1st) for our staff to begin the formal review of your file.
Request for Information
If any documents are missing, we will notify you by mail within 25 business days of receiving your signed application.
Final Determination
Once your application is 100% complete with all required backups, a determination letter will be mailed to you within 45 business days.
Important Income Requirements
To avoid significant delays, your application must include proof of income for every person living in your household, regardless of whether they contribute to household expenses.
- The 4-Week Rule: Income documentation must cover the four consecutive weeks immediately prior to the date you sign and submit your application.
- Completeness Matters: If you do not provide all required documents upfront, your application will be marked “Incomplete,” which will restart the waiting period.
Check Your Status Anytime
After you have submitted your application, you don’t need to wait for the mail to get an update. You can check your application status, remaining benefit balance, and payments made to your vendor by calling:
Automated Status Line: (978) 531-8810
Eligibility and Payments to Vendors
How Your Benefits Are Paid
Once your household is determined eligible, NSCAP will notify both you and your heating vendor of your approved benefit amount.
The payment process depends on how you heat your home:
- For Oil, Kerosene and Propane: Your vendor will be authorized to make fuel deliveries up to your total benefit amount and will submit the delivery invoices directly to us.
- For Natural Gas and Electricity: NSCAP instructs utilities (including National Grid and local Municipal Electric companies) to submit your bills directly to us for payment.
Important Payment Rules
- Direct Payments: All payments are made directly to the heating vendor or utility company on your behalf.
- Eligible Dates: Benefits only cover fuel deliveries or utility usage incurred between November 1st and April 30th.
- Coverage Limits: Any billing charges that exceed your approved Home Energy Assistance benefit are your responsibility.
- Funding Availability: Because this program relies on annual federal funding, benefits are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Completing your application early is the best way to secure your assistance.
Additional Resources
Contact the Following Agencies for Details and Requirements for Availability of Additional Funds:
Year-Round Savings: The Utility Discount
If your household is approved for Home Energy Assistance, you are automatically enrolled in the National Grid Low-Income Discount Rate.
Why It Matters
• Immediate Savings: You will receive a discount on the electric and gas supply charges of your monthly bill.
• Year-Round Relief: Unlike heating assistance, which is seasonal, this utility discount stays on your account year-round to help lower your monthly costs.
Apply for a Discount Today
You do not have to wait for the Home Energy Assistance season (November – April) to begin saving on your National Grid bills. If you believe you are income-eligible, you can apply for the discount rate immediately by downloading and submitting the forms below:
Utility Type
Application Link
National Grid Electric
National Grid Gas
Pro-Tip: If you are already a HEAP/LIHEAP client, check your most recent National Grid bill. Look for the “Discount Rate” line item to confirm you are receiving your savings!
Behind on Your Bills?
Debt Forgiveness and Payment Plans
If you are struggling to keep up with high winter utility bills, you have options. We recommend contacting National Grid immediately to discuss a Budget Plan or a Payment Plan. These programs help level out your monthly costs so you aren’t hit with massive spikes during the coldest months.
The Arrears Management Program (AMP)
If you have a past-due balance, you may be eligible for the Arrears Management Program (AMP). This program allows eligible customers to have a portion of their past-due debt forgiven for every month they make a full, on-time payment on their current bill.
Contact Information
For more information on how to manage your utility debt, you can call our team at (978) 531-0767 ext. 136, or contact National Grid directly:
Service Type
Phone Number
National Grid Electric
National Grid Gas
Protection from Shutoff:
Keeping the Heat and Lights On
Income-eligible households are protected from an electric or gas shut-off during the winter months if they can demonstrate financial hardship. Households in which all members are 65 years or older are also protected. To learn more about how to avoid a shut-off, please see the resources below.
- Utility Protection Guidelines
- NGRID Senior Protection Form
- NGRID Gas & Electric Financial Hardship Statement
Contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
Saving Energy & Staying Safe
If your household qualifies for Home Energy Assistance, you may be eligible for no-cost energy improvements that make your home more comfortable, safer, and significantly more affordable.
Energy Services for Homeowners & Renters
Through our partnership with Action, Inc. (NSCAP’s Energy Services provider), you can access programs designed to reduce your energy consumption:
- Home Weatherization: Includes insulation and air sealing to keep the heat in and the cold out.
- Heating System Repair (HEART): Assistance to repair or replace inefficient or broken heating systems.
- Appliance Efficiency: Programs to help replace old, high-energy-use appliances.
Get Started with Energy Services
To learn more about these no-cost improvements, contact the Action, Inc. Energy Services team directly:
- Phone: (978) 283-2131
- Website: ActionIncEnergy.org
About NSCAP
NSCAP provides social services that enable families and individuals to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to become economically self-sufficient, and civically engaged, and to live in dignity and decency.
Get Involved
Contact Us
119 Rear Foster Street, Building 13
Peabody, MA 01960
energyassistance@nscap.org
978-531-0767 x136
978-531-1297
