As the temperature begins to drop and fuel prices remain high, many residents are worried about how they are going to heat their homes this winter. Soaring food and gas costs have many families and individuals anxious about the coming winter.

According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs website, the average price for a gallon of home heating oil (as of September 16) was $3.82. Although that price represents a 22 cent drop from $4.04 a gallon two weeks earlier, it’s still a staggering number for many people, especially those living on a fixed income. Fortunately, there are numerous local organizations that can provide assistance to those who need it most.

Boston residents can contact the Mayor’s 24-hour hotline at (617) 635-4500 for information about fuel assistance or help with a heat emergency. The City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development has created the HeatWorks program in an effort to decrease the number of heat-related emergencies that affect Boston’s seniors during the winter. For more information call (617) 635-0338.

Staff at the city’s Elderly Commission are trained to help seniors with questions about fuel assistance. They can be reached at (617) 635-4366. Tenants with questions about their landlord’s responsibilities can call the Rental Housing Resource Center at (617) RENT (7368). If a landlord if unresponsive or a resident does not have heat, staff at the Inspectional Services Department can help at (617) 635-5322.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino recently hosted the Mayor’s Fuel & Food Summit at Madison Park High School as part of his Food & Fuel Campaign, a joint effort among government, businesses and non-profit organizations concerned about the rising cost of food and energy. Mayor Menino also plans to hold a series of community dinners at local schools and community centers. More information is available at www.cityofboston.gov.

There are many other organizations in the Boston area ready to provide fuel assistance to those who qualify. The following is a list of helpful information, phone numbers and websites for people seeking help this winter.

MassResources.org: Massresources.org is a website with valuable information about food, housing, health care, and other basic services for people in need.

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD): ABCD’s fuel assistance program provides assistance to more than 15,000 low-income residents in Boston, Brookline and Newton. They can be reached by calling (617) 357-6012 or online at www.bostonabcd.org/programs/crisis/fuel-assistance/.
Citizens Energy Heat Assistance Programs: The Energy Oil Heat Program allow a shipment of 100 gallons of home heating oil for free (once per season). They can be reached by calling 1-888-563-4645. The Distritigas Heating Program provides a $150 utility bill credit to people who heat their home s with gas. They can be reached by calling 1-866-427-9918. Information about Citizen’s Energy is also online at www.citizensenergy.com.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): LIHEAP is funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services and is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development in conjunction with non-profit and government organizations.. The program assists low-income individuals and families with home heating costs during the winter. According to DHCD’s website, LIHEAP will provide fuel assistance to low-income people with annual incomes of $42,400 for a family of four. The Cold Relief Heatline can be reached by calling 1-800-632-8175 or online at www.mass.gov/dhcd.

Mass Energy Consumers Alliance: According to its website, www.massenergy.com, Mass Energy is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to making “energy more affordable and environmentally sustainable.” Mass Alliance operates like a co-op and negotiates lower home heating oil prices on behalf of its 11,000 members. They can also be reached at 1-800-287-3950 and (617) 524-3950.

For more information or help finding fuel assistance this winter, call my office at (617) 635-4220 or e-mail me at john.tobin@cityofboston.gov.