1 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,120 Speaker 1: From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England 2 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 1: Weekend where each week we come together right here we 3 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: talk about all the topics important to you and the 4 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: place where you live. We great to have you back 5 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: with us this week, and if it's your first time listening, welcome, 6 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: I'm Nicole Davis. When you open up your utility bills 7 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:26,759 Speaker 1: these days, you might find yourself, like many others, doing 8 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: a double take, or making a weird noise, or suddenly 9 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,200 Speaker 1: feeling queasy when you see what's on the paper. While 10 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 1: Governor Healy says the state is working with utilities to 11 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:38,200 Speaker 1: help cut some costs and defer others, for many families, 12 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:40,880 Speaker 1: it's just not enough as they deal with higher costs 13 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: on so many other fronts, community action agencies around the 14 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 1: state are trying to get the word out about an 15 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 1: underutilized program called HEAP. This can help with your heating 16 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: bills and any repairs or upgrades you might need. And 17 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: it's not just for owners, this also applies if you rent. 18 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 1: Liz Barribe is the executive director of Citizens for Citizens. 19 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: They're based in Fall River. Liza, it's great to have 20 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: you here, and before we talk about heat, tell us 21 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 1: a little bit more about your work down there on 22 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: the south coast. 23 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 2: Sure so, Citizens the Citizens is one of the community 24 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 2: action agencies in Massachusetts. CFC is our nickname for Citizens 25 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 2: the Citizens. We service the greater of Flalriver and Taunton 26 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 2: area and we've been in existence since nineteen sixty five, 27 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 2: so we've been around for a long time. We administer 28 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 2: the heat program. It's one of our bigger programs, as 29 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 2: well as headstock. We have family planning, We have wick, 30 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 2: we do food pantries, we have some senior programs, so 31 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:40,839 Speaker 2: we definitely have an array of programs. 32 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: I would say you're very busy these days, considering that 33 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: the cost of living is through the roof right now 34 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: for many people. Tell me a little bit about the 35 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: demand for your services, and have you noticed that you're 36 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 1: being called on more often to help in places you 37 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: normally wouldn't be. 38 00:01:55,400 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 2: Absolutely, we've seen an increase the demand for our services, 39 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 2: just specifically our food pantry. We see more and more 40 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 2: new people every week. These are people who are working, 41 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: So it's not that people are, you know, on some 42 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:13,480 Speaker 2: kind of a fixed income or a means tested program. 43 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 2: These are people who are out there working every day 44 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:19,239 Speaker 2: and we're seeing the need for fast specific program as 45 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 2: well as the you know, the high cost of energy 46 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 2: these days is drumming up business for our heat program. 47 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 2: And you know, we're really excited that we do have 48 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 2: that program because with the frigid temperatures, it's it would 49 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 2: be sinful for anyone to be freezing when this resource 50 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 2: is available to Massachusetts residents. 51 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, this cold weather isn't going anywhere, it seems, so 52 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 1: let's talk about heat. Tell me a little bit about 53 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: what it's all about it. I know it's connected to 54 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: the state. How does it all work? 55 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:51,919 Speaker 2: Okay? So HEAP is actually the abbreviation for the Home 56 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 2: Energy Assistance Program, and a lot of people refer to 57 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 2: it as fuel assistance. It's actually a national program called 58 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,079 Speaker 2: light HEAP, and it's funded by the federal government and 59 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 2: in some years a program is actually supplemented by Massachusetts 60 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 2: state resources. The federal resources come into our state and 61 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:14,079 Speaker 2: the program is overseen by the Executive Office of Housing 62 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:17,959 Speaker 2: and Livable Communities and then they contract with twenty community 63 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 2: action agencies in the city of Cambridge to a minister 64 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 2: of the heat program each year. 65 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 1: And how often are you able to re up this 66 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: assistance or do you have to only apply once per 67 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: season and then not have to worry about it. 68 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 2: So well, in a nutshell, HEAPS the program that helps 69 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 2: income eligible individuals and households pay a portion of the 70 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 2: winter bills. And it is an annual program. So once 71 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 2: you apply and you're determined eligible, we would be taking 72 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 2: care of or assisting a portion of your heating bills 73 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 2: for that year. You do have to reapply each year. 74 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,880 Speaker 2: It's easier if you've been on the year before because 75 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 2: you'll receive an application actually in the summer and you 76 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 2: just have to make changes and update income. New people 77 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: would you know, have to apply once the program opens. 78 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,800 Speaker 1: Okay, I'm on the state website right now and I'm 79 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 1: looking at income eligibility here. I mean this you can 80 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 1: make still, I mean a good amount of money. And 81 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 1: by a good amount, I mean you know, for one 82 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 1: person fifty thousand dollars. It's not like you have to 83 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: be living on next to nothing to get assistance here. 84 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: And I think that's important for people to know. 85 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 2: Yes, yeah, so HEAP in Massachusetts is very unique and 86 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 2: that our guidelines are so much higher than any other 87 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 2: program such as SNAP with Medicaid. I mean the HEAP 88 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 2: guidelines are set at sixty percent of the Massachusetts state 89 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 2: median income, and they are quite generous. For example, like 90 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 2: a single person, you can group of gross up to 91 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: fifty one thousand, five hundred and fifty five dollars two people, 92 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:54,479 Speaker 2: it's actually sixty seven thousand, seven oh nine and for 93 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 2: a household of four it's just shy of one hundred 94 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 2: thousand dollars, it's ninety nine thousand and five s. So 95 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 2: clearly this is a program for working people, people who 96 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:08,159 Speaker 2: might be collecting unemployment, people who work their whole lives 97 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 2: and are on fixed incomes like SoC security and pensions, 98 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: as well as people who are means tested program. So 99 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 2: this is like a program. A lot of people fall 100 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,720 Speaker 2: between the cracks for everything else, and this is this 101 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 2: could be the program for them. 102 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: And it's important to note too, if you're renting, you 103 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: still apply as well. 104 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 2: Right, absolutely, So there's so many myths out there, but 105 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 2: you can be a homeowner or a renter and still 106 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:34,760 Speaker 2: be eligible for this program. It doesn't matter what type 107 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 2: of heat sauce you have, so if you heat with 108 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 2: natural gas, electricity, oil proping, kerosene, wood or wood pellets, 109 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: we cover all those. So it's not just you know, 110 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 2: for oil clients or not, you know, just for natural 111 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 2: gas clients. Any heat sauce we can assist people with. 112 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:58,040 Speaker 2: Once you actually become eligible for heat, not only are 113 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:00,720 Speaker 2: we helping you pay a portion of your winter heating bill, 114 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 2: but we automatically enroll you in the utility companies discount 115 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 2: rate programs, and some of the discounts range from twenty 116 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 2: five percent all the way to seventy one percent. We 117 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 2: can also set up a free energy audit. Our auditis 118 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 2: will go in and determine if you need free weatherization. 119 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 2: In certain cases, we are replacing old, inefficient appliances that 120 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 2: are just jacking up the cost of electricity. And in 121 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 2: many cases we're repairing and replacing or replacing inefficient heating systems. 122 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,120 Speaker 2: So the heat program, you know, we're not just paying 123 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 2: your heating bill. We actually want to make sure you're 124 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 2: living in a comfortable, safe home, whether it be a 125 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:46,560 Speaker 2: home or an apartment. And we're doing all these weatherization 126 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:51,119 Speaker 2: processes and procedures and you know, protocols in your home. 127 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 2: We're hoping that's going to bring the cost of your 128 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:53,919 Speaker 2: heating bill. 129 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: Down if you put in this effort and this money 130 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: through this program, and you get these repairs done, and 131 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,279 Speaker 1: you get the way theorization done. I would like to 132 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 1: think that it lessens the burden I think on the 133 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 1: system overall, because some people might say, well, you know, 134 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 1: it's pulling a lot on the state, it's pulling a 135 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 1: lot on the taxpayers. But if everybody has an efficient 136 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 1: home that is in good shape and the appliances are working, 137 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like that would be 138 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 1: a benefit across the board. 139 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 2: Oh. Absolutely, bringing down the cost of monthly energy bills 140 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: would certainly help everyone that. Like I mentioned, the program 141 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 2: is a national program, so in some states they pay 142 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 2: you know, cooling bills. In Massachusetts at this point, we're 143 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 2: just paying heating bills. You know, the federal resources there. 144 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 2: The program has been around for decades. It's not a 145 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 2: new program, but the guidelines are just so generous and 146 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 2: it's for people who are working, and we really want 147 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 2: people to know that in Massachusetts, you know, check it out, 148 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 2: check out the website. It's actually masks dot gov slash heat, 149 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 2: and you know, we just want to make sure that 150 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 2: with these frigid temperatures and the high cost of energy 151 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 2: these days, every little bit helps and we hope that 152 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 2: Heat can be the answer. 153 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, do you find a lot of people don't know 154 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 1: about this program? Why do you think it falls? Literally, 155 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 1: as you were mentioning between the cracks. 156 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: I think because a lot of people who are working 157 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 2: may have never accessed this type of program. You know, 158 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 2: they know what the guidelines are for SNAP, and let's 159 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 2: face it, they're very low. Same thing with Wick and medicaid, 160 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 2: so they probably think, you know, I'm sure I make 161 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 2: too much money, but you know, check out the guidelines 162 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 2: because I think people will be pleasantly surprised at how 163 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 2: generous and how these guidelines are. 164 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 1: How would you suggest that people get involved in signing 165 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:47,440 Speaker 1: up for this program? What if they need assistance and 166 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: I'm not quite sure how to do it, what would 167 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 1: you suggest? 168 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:55,439 Speaker 2: Surely so again, the website is math dot gov slash heat, 169 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 2: and you can go onto this website and you put 170 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 2: in your zip code and it will direct you to 171 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 2: the agency in your city or town that is actually 172 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 2: covering fuel assistance. It's pretty easy. There are a couple 173 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 2: of ways you can actually apply. You can we still 174 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:13,440 Speaker 2: see people face to face, so you can walk in. 175 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 2: Some agencies require an appointment some walk in, but most 176 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 2: people these days, especially those who work, find our online 177 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 2: portal so much easier to access because it's available twenty 178 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:28,480 Speaker 2: four hours a day, seven days a week. So you 179 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 2: can get home on the weekend and just open up 180 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:34,439 Speaker 2: your laptop or your iPad and get on there, and 181 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 2: you can fill out the application online. You can upload 182 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 2: your documents online, and everything after that you would get 183 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 2: in the mail. So if something's missing, we'll reach out 184 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 2: to you by mail. If you're determined eligible, you'll get 185 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 2: a letter stating you know what you're eligible for. We 186 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: also notify your vendor at the same time, and if 187 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 2: you're not eligible, you know, we'll send you something in 188 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 2: the mail and then offer you some alternative different ways 189 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,679 Speaker 2: to go. For example, we do refer many people to 190 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:08,720 Speaker 2: the Good Neighbor Fund, which is a program where our 191 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 2: guidelines then they pick up. So definitely check out the 192 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 2: website and like I said, you can go to a 193 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 2: fuel agency or you can apply using that online quortal. 194 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,199 Speaker 1: And if somebody is listening on the South coast, say 195 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 1: New Bedford, Fall River, Taunt in that area, and they're 196 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: listening and thinking I could actually really use assistance, not 197 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 1: just with heat but other parts of my everyday life. 198 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 1: How can they get ahold of you over at as 199 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 1: citizens for Citizens? 200 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 2: Sure? So, our specific website where we list all of 201 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 2: our programs is CFCI NC dot org. In the New 202 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 2: Bedford area it is Pace, okay, And so they can 203 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:52,719 Speaker 2: reach out by our websites, the phone numbers, you can 204 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 2: contact us through the webmail, and we can direct you 205 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 2: to other resources that both PAYS and CFC have to 206 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 2: offer in the South Coast. 207 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 1: All right, phenomenal, Well, Liz, I really appreciate the primer 208 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: of sorts I suppose about heap and thank you for 209 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 1: your time. I appreciate it. 210 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 2: You're welcome, Okay, have a good day with Nicole. 211 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: Please join us again next week for another edition of 212 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 1: the show. I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.