September 26th, 2008
FRIENDS OF THE BOLTON SENIORS
2008/2009 Fuel Assistance Resource Directory
Friends of the Bolton Seniors
978-634-1025
62 Vaughn Hill Road
Bolton, MA 01740
- Provides emergency fuel assistance of 100 gallons of oil to Bolton residents over 60 years of age who meet certain income requirements. No waiting.
- Payments made directly to the oil company.
New England Farm Workers Council (NEFWC)
978-342-4520
473 Main Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
- Manages the federal and state fuel assistance program (LIHEAP) for North Central Massachusetts, which includes Bolton.
- Available to eligible low income and elderly households, dependant on size and gross annual income at 200% of Poverty Guidelines (schedule attached). If assistance received last year, applications will be mauled to household. If new applicant, call for appointment. Funds available between November 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009.
- Emergency help is available. To talk to a person, select option #2 from phone list.
- Regular applications can take a month or more to process.
- Other energy assistance programs for low income households through LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) include heating system repair assistance (HEATWAP), home energy efficiency (WAP), phone, electricity and gas assistance. These are managed by MOC (see page 2).
Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program (“Joe for Oil”)
877-563-4645 (toll free)
617-338-6300
617-542-4487 (Fax)
88 Black Falcon Avenue, Suite 342
Boston, MA 02210
- Accepts applications for heating assistance for both oil and natural gas from December through February. No income verification is required.
- Need to get applications in early. Last year Citizens ran out of funds in January.
WHEAT Community Services
978-365-6349
123 High Street, Unit #22
Clinton, MA 01510
- Serves low-to-moderate income residents of Bolton (Berlin, Clinton, Lancaster & Sterling) by providing the following services: food stamp applications, low/no cost goods, emergency funding, information and referral, and skills development.
- Assists applicants in completing state/federa; fuel assistance forms on first and third Fridays in November and December 2008.
- Provides fuel assistance for those who exceed income requirements of state/federal fuel assistance program based on need.
- Intake worker available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. If emergency, open Wednesdays and Thursdays; no one is turned away.
- Community Cafe offers free hot meals 6 days per week from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Very helpful general resource.
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)
800-488-1969 (toll free)
978-630-6600
205 School Street
Gardner, MA 01440
- RAFT helps families in arrears for rental assistance, mortgage assistance or utility assistance.
- Administered by RCAP Solutions in Gardner.
- Requires detailed application, which may take a month or more to process. Call for application or obtain on line at www.rcapsolutions.org.
Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc. (M0C)
978-342-7013
978-345-8626 (Fax)
133 Prichard Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
- Energy and Environmental services available at 978-342-7025, including weatherization program, heating repair and replacement program, appliance monitoring and replacement program, and moderate-risk deleading program.
- Also helps with elder home repairs and Meals on Wheels. Call 978-345-8501.
- MOC is the designated Community Action Agency serving North Central Massachusetts (including Bolton).
Catholic Charities
800-232-0843 (John)
978-840-0697
196 Mechanic Street
Leominster, MA 01453
- May have fuel assistance available through Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).
- Helpful in directing person to other agencies that may be able to provide assistance.
Mass Energy Heating Oil Alliance
800-287-3950
617-524-3950
617-524-0776 (Fax)
670 Centre Street
Boston, MA 02130-2511
- Program for any household, regardless of income, who wants to save on heating and electricity costs. Besides lower prices, Mass Energy provides flexible pricing plans, support for low income families
- In 2006/2007 average savings per gallon was $.24.
- Any household that receives or has applied for fuel assistance can receive a free Mass Energy membership as well. Household will pay whichever price is lower on day of delivery.
- Oil Bank provides help to a limited number of people who have to choose between food and heat.
Salvation Army Good Neighbor Energy Fund
978-342-3300
978-345-4155 (Fax)
Fitchburg/Montachusett Corps
739 Water Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
- Available to any eligible Massachusetts resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month’s energy expense. Cannot be eligible for state or federal fuel assistance.
- Grant amount per eligible household is $275 per season regardless of amount owed and is paid directly to vendor.
General
The following food banks are nearby and welcome Bolton seniors:
- Bolton Town Hall receives USDA food on the second Tuesday of each month from WHEAT.
- WHEAT Food Pantry (123 High Street, Clinton, MA; 978-365-6349) – Open Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Hudson Community Food Pantry (236 Main Street, Hudson, MA; 978-562-5280) – Open Tuesday and Saturday 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and first Thursday of each month 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
- Stow Food Pantry (First Parish Church, Route 117, Stow, MA; 978-897-4230) — Open two Fridays a month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
The Bolton Veteran’s Agent is Michelle Marino. She can be reached at 978-706-1305.
2008/2009 HHS Poverty Guidelines
For all states (except Alaska and Hawaii) and for the District of Columbia
Size 100% 110% 125% 150% 175% 185% 200%
of of of of of of of of
Fam Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty
Unit
1 $ 10,400 $ 11,440 $ 13,000 $ 15,600 $ 18,200 $ 19,240 $20,800
2 $ 14,000 $ 15,400 $ 17,500 $ 21,000 $ 24,500 $ 25,900 $28,000
3 $ 17,600 $ 19,360 $ 22,000 $ 26,400 $ 30,800 $ 32,560 $35,200
4 $ 21,200 $ 23,320 $ 26,500 $ 31,899 $ 37,100 $ 39,220 $42,400
5 $ 24,800 $ 27,280 $ 31,000 $ 37,200 $ 43,400 $ 45,880 $49,600
6 $ 28,400 $ 31,240 $ 35,500 $ 42,600 $ 49,700 $ 52,540 $56,800
7 $ 32,000 $ 35,200 $ 40,000 $ 48,000 $ 56,000 $ 59,200 $64,000
8 $ 35,600 $ 39,160 $ 44,500 $ 53,400 $ 62,300 $ 65,860 $71,200
For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,600 for each additional person at 100% of poverty; $3,960 at 110%, $4,500 at 125%, $5,400 at 150%; $6,300 at 175%; $6,660 at 185% and $7,200 at 200% of poverty.
Note: For optional use in FFY 2008 and mandatory use in FY2009
Page last updated: June 4, 2008.
http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/povertytables/fy2009/popstate.htm
