Massachusetts calls its LIHEAP program “HEAP” — the Home Energy Assistance Program, also known locally as “Fuel Assistance” — administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through 22 regional nonprofit and local government organizations.
HEAP helps income-eligible households pay winter heating costs through a fixed benefit payment, plus an additional High Energy Cost Supplement (HECS) for households with very high energy burdens.
Massachusetts also operates several companion programs unique in this series: HEARTWAP (year-round heating system repair/replacement), LISAWAP (sewer and water bill assistance), and Massachusetts Heat Line (a dedicated winter heating helpline). Applications for the 2026 heating season open October 1, 2026 at toapply.org/MassLIHEAP.
What Does Massachusetts HEAP Cover?
Heating Assistance (HEAP / Fuel Assistance) — a fixed benefit payment based on household size, income, fuel type, and dwelling type, applied directly to your heating account. Benefit range: $200 minimum to $600 maximum for FY 2026. Massachusetts uses a five-factor benefit matrix — benefits are not flat or income-tier-only. Program period: November 1 through September 30 (applications accepted starting October 1 for the upcoming season).
High Energy Cost Supplement (HECS) — an additional benefit on top of the standard HEAP payment for households whose previous year’s heating cost exceeded a state-set threshold. For FY 2026, an eligible household heating with deliverable fuel (oil) and receiving HEAP may receive an additional $140 HECS supplement if their prior year heating costs exceed the HECS threshold for oil. HECS thresholds are released each fall. Only eligible HEAP households qualify.
Winter Crisis Assistance — emergency help for heating emergencies. Maximum: $600. Same program period as HEAP: November 1–September 30.
HEARTWAP — Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program — a uniquely named Massachusetts program providing heating system repair, replacement, and maintenance services to HEAP-eligible households. HEARTWAP:
- Operates year-round through local nonprofit agencies
- During winter: primarily serves as an emergency intervention for broken or unsafe heating systems
- Off-season: provides heating system tune-ups, maintenance, and efficiency upgrades
- Income limit: 60% SMI (same as HEAP)
- No separate income screening required for HEAP-eligible households (single certification process)
Low-Income Sewer and Water Assistance Program (LISAWAP) — DHCD administers LISAWAP through the same HEAP network. Provides a benefit of up to 25% of a household’s combined sewer and water bills. LISAWAP eligibility follows HEAP eligibility. Apply through your local fuel assistance agency.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) — free home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, sealing, heating system improvements). Massachusetts uses a single certification process — HEAP eligibility (up to 60% SMI) also qualifies for WAP. Maximum: $18,500 per household — among the highest weatherization caps in the country. Year-round through local agencies.
Massachusetts HEAP Income Limits 2026
Massachusetts uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for all programs — HEAP, crisis, HEARTWAP, LISAWAP, and WAP. Income is calculated as annualized gross income (annual total of all household members’ gross earnings) — different from the 30-day income window used by most states. Eligibility is based on income from household members age 18 and older.
For FY 2026, the official income limits published on mass.gov are:
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit (60% MA SMI) | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~$49,205 | ~$4,100 |
| 2 | ~$64,344 | ~$5,362 |
| 3 | ~$79,452 | ~$6,621 |
| 4 | ~$81,561* | ~$6,797 |
| 5 | ~$94,590 | ~$7,883 |
| 6 | ~$107,627 | ~$8,969 |
The $81,561 figure for a family of four was specifically cited by Massachusetts DHCD in official communications. Confirm the complete FY 2026 table on the DHCD income chart at mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: Massachusetts HEAP has no asset test.
Not all income counts: Massachusetts specifies that “not all income counts toward eligibility” — certain income types may be excluded. Confirm with your local agency what income is countable. Income from household members under 18 is not counted.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving SNAP, SSI, TANF, or other public assistance programs may have simplified or automatic income eligibility. Confirm with your local fuel assistance agency.
Massachusetts’s Five-Factor Benefit Matrix
Massachusetts is one of the most sophisticated benefit calculation states in this series. Benefits are not a flat amount — they depend on five factors simultaneously:
- Household income (income level within 100% FPL to 60% SMI range)
- Household size (1–17 persons, with a matrix row for each)
- Fuel type (deliverable fuel — oil, propane, wood — vs. natural gas vs. electricity)
- Dwelling type (homeowner or unsubsidized renter vs. subsidized housing tenant)
- Energy burden (high energy burden households receive more)
The matrix logic: Homeowners and unsubsidized renters heating with deliverable fuels receive the highest benefits because deliverable fuels are, on average, the most expensive energy source. Benefits decrease as income levels increase. The High Energy Cost Supplement adds an additional layer on top for the highest-cost households.
This matrix is published as the “FY 2026 LIHEAP Income Eligibility and Benefit Level Chart” on mass.gov — download it to see your specific benefit estimate before applying.
Program Dates
| Program | Dates |
|---|---|
| HEAP applications open (for 2026 season) | October 1, 2026 |
| HEAP heating season | November 1 – April 30 (core); accepted through September 30 |
| Winter Crisis | November 1 – September 30 |
| HEARTWAP | Year-round |
| WAP | Year-round |
| LISAWAP | Year-round |
Who Qualifies for Massachusetts HEAP
To qualify for Massachusetts HEAP:
- Massachusetts residency as primary dwelling
- Annual gross household income at or below 60% Massachusetts SMI
- Responsibility for heating costs — paying for your primary heat source directly or through rent
- U.S. citizenship or qualified immigration status required
First-time applicants must apply in person at their local fuel assistance agency. Returning households may apply online. Households must reapply each year — after the first year, a mailed application is sent to the household.
How to Apply for Massachusetts HEAP
Step 1 — Apply Online at toapply.org/MassLIHEAP (Returning Applicants)
Online: The HEAP online application is available at toapply.org/MassLIHEAP starting October 1, 2026. This portal is specifically for returning applicants.
First-time applicants must apply in person at their local Fuel Assistance Agency. Find your agency at MASSCAP (masscap.net) or by calling the Massachusetts Heat Line at 1-800-632-8175.
For a general overview of the LIHEAP application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP. Massachusetts’s contacts are in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Winter Heating Telephone Helpline: Call (866) 363-7497 toll-free for an overview of all heating assistance resources available in Massachusetts during the winter season.
Step 2 — Required Documents
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Social Security numbers for all household members 18 and older
- Proof of annualized gross income for all household members 18 and older — annual income statement, W-2, pay stubs (used to annualize), Social Security benefit letters, SNAP/SSI award letters
- Most recent heating fuel bill (oil, gas, electric, propane, etc.)
- Documentation of fuel type and dwelling type (own or rent; subsidized or unsubsidized)
Step 3 — HECS Check (High Energy Cost Supplement)
When your local agency reviews your application, they will also check whether your prior heating season costs qualify you for the High Energy Cost Supplement (HECS). HECS thresholds are released each fall. If your prior year fuel costs exceeded the threshold for your fuel type, you receive an additional payment automatically — no separate HECS application needed.
Step 4 — HEARTWAP, LISAWAP, and WAP
When applying for HEAP, also ask your local agency about:
- HEARTWAP — if your heating system is broken, unsafe, or inefficient
- LISAWAP — if you have high combined sewer and water bills (up to 25% bill reduction)
- WAP — free home energy efficiency upgrades (up to $18,500)
All are covered by the same single certification process as HEAP — no separate income review required.
To follow up on a submitted application, see how to check your LIHEAP application status.
Massachusetts Utility Discount Programs
Eversource Arrearage Management Program (AMP) — for Eversource customers with an account balance over $100 that is at least 60 days overdue and income at or below 60% SMI, who are eligible for energy assistance; must continue monthly budget billing payments. 866-861-6225.
National Grid Discount Rate — for residential National Grid customers receiving SNAP, SSI, TANF, or other qualifying public assistance programs, a gas or electric discount rate may be available.
Discount Rates from over 12 utilities — more than 12 Massachusetts gas, electric, and combination utilities offer discount rates totaling nearly $40 million per year for HEAP-eligible customers. Contact your utility after receiving HEAP approval to enroll in the relevant discount rate.
Massachusetts HEAP Funding 2026
Massachusetts received $163,276,528 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $6,492,479 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, Massachusetts served 150,047 heating households, 13,225 winter crisis households, and 7,386 weatherization projects. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare Massachusetts with other states.
Massachusetts’s weatherization enrollment (7,386) is among the highest in the country — reflecting the large weatherization maximum ($18,500) and the single-certification-process that automatically connects HEAP households to WAP.
Additional Resources for Massachusetts Families
Massachusetts SNAP: Check Massachusetts SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth): Check Massachusetts Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Massachusetts WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across Massachusetts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HEAP in Massachusetts?
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), also called Fuel Assistance, is Massachusetts’s LIHEAP program. Administered by DHCD through 22 regional nonprofits, it provides fixed benefit payments toward winter heating costs, plus a High Energy Cost Supplement for high-burden households. The online application opens October 1 at toapply.org/MassLIHEAP.
What are the income limits for Massachusetts HEAP?
Massachusetts uses 60% of State Median Income based on annualized gross income. For a family of four, that is approximately $81,561/year. Income is calculated annually — not on a 30-day basis as in most other states. Not all income counts; confirm with your local agency.
What is HECS?
The High Energy Cost Supplement is an additional payment for HEAP-eligible households whose prior year heating costs exceeded a state-set threshold. For oil-heated households, the HECS supplement can be up to $140 on top of the standard HEAP benefit. HECS thresholds are released each fall — no separate application needed if eligible.
What is HEARTWAP?
HEARTWAP (Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program) is a year-round Massachusetts program providing free heating system repair, replacement, and maintenance for HEAP-eligible households. In winter it prioritizes emergency no-heat situations; off-season it provides tune-ups and efficiency improvements.
What is LISAWAP?
LISAWAP is Massachusetts’s Low-Income Sewer and Water Assistance Program, providing a benefit of up to 25% of a household’s combined sewer and water bills. It’s administered through the same HEAP agency network and uses the same income eligibility (60% SMI).
Can first-time applicants apply online?
No — first-time applicants must apply in person at their local Fuel Assistance Agency. Returning applicants can apply online at toapply.org/MassLIHEAP starting October 1.
For current Massachusetts HEAP information and to find your local Fuel Assistance Agency, visit mass.gov/liheap or call the Massachusetts Heat Line at 1-800-632-8175. The online application opens October 1, 2026 for the 2026 heating season.