Help paying your electric bill in Massachusetts
Massachusetts got $163.3 million in the HHS table, about $59 for each of its 2,762,070 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 1-800-632-8175. Heating help reached 150,047 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts LIHEAP public line1-800-632-8175
- State program sitemass.gov/hed/community/energy
- Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities877-886-5066 · 617-737-2836 · mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-utilities · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Massachusetts
Massachusetts: cold weather by dates; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 15 - March 15 |
| Health or age needs | "If you are experiencing financial hardship and one of the following applies, your electric or gas cannot be shut off without permission from the DPU: You, or someone in your home, is seriously ill[...]" |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Utility Shut Offs.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 220 CMR 25.03. In Massachusetts a utility may not shut off a customer who cannot pay because of financial hardship if the home has a seriously ill person, a child under 12 months, or, November 15 to March 15, the service provides heat and was not shut off before November 15. The customer must return a hardship form (and illness or infant proof) within 7 days. Protection must be renewed periodically. Quote: “No company may shut off or refuse to restore utility service to the home of any customer if:”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII).
| Point | Massachusetts: 220 CMR 25.03 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Between Nov 15 and Mar 15 a company may not shut off or refuse to restore service where the customer certifies that the service provides heat or runs the heating system, it was not shut off for nonpayment before Nov 15, and the customer cannot pay because of financial hardship ((1)(a)3, (1)(b)). No shutoff-threat notices Nov 15 - Mar 15 to a customer who gave notice of hardship unless the Department authorizes ((5)). Heating accounts get phone or personal notice no earlier than 3 days before shutoff in that period ((7)). |
| Who is protected | Protected also if a customer or household member is seriously ill, or a child under 12 months lives in the home, plus financial hardship. Claim may be made by phone; serious illness by physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or local board of health. Hardship form and serious-illness certificate or infant proof due within 7 days; certificates are conclusive unless the Department decides otherwise; renewed quarterly (illness; chronic every six months). Company must postpone shutoff 72 hours when an occupant claims protection at the door ((7)). Fuel-assistance customers protected Nov 15 - Jan 1 ((3)). |
| Notice | Arrearage notices must carry a prominent notice of the protections; heating accounts get phone/personal notice no earlier than 3 days before shutoff Nov 15 - Mar 15 ((5),(7)). Base notice periods in other sections not read. |
| Who the rule covers | 'Company' under 220 CMR 25.00 (scope section 25.01 not read in this session); not stated in text read whether it reaches municipal light plants. |
| Complaints | Customer may dispute a company's denial of protection by contacting the Department (of Public Utilities) within 7 days; company may not terminate pending resolution ((2),(6)). No phone number read. |
Not found in the text we read: heat, payment plan; verify with the commission. Did not read 220 CMR 25.01 definitions/scope (financial hardship, who is covered), 25.02 or the rest of 25.03(8), or municipal utility coverage.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Massachusetts: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Massachusetts | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $163,276,528 = $139,606,133 + $6,492,479 IIJA + $17,177,916 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Crisis, & Weatherization: 60% State Median Income | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $200 minimum, $600 maximum Crisis: Winter $600 Weatherization: $18,500 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 150,047 Winter Crisis: 13,225 Weatherization: 7,386 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: November 1 - September 30 Weatherization: November 1 - September 30 Winter Crisis: November 1 - September 30 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVMassachusetts in numbers
- Massachusetts ranks 8th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($59), 35th on households below the poverty line (10.9%) and 31st on low-income energy burden (8.5%).
- Per household below the poverty line (302,410 of them) the FY26 funds come to $540, rank 8th of 51: 25% of a typical year's electricity ($2,194). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 133,635 households got help in FY2022 against 843,270 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 16% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $1,344, 61% of that year.
- Heating season: November 1 - September 30. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $52 (New York) to $86 (Vermont); low-income burden from 8.4% (New York) to 13.1% (Vermont). Massachusetts: $59 and 8.5%.
Where Massachusetts's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Nantucket County 10.9% (948 households); Berkshire County 10.2% (22,218 households); Dukes County 9.7% (1,791 households); Franklin County 9.7% (12,450 households).
- Most low-income households: Middlesex County 146,844 (8.1%); Suffolk County 116,020 (7.7%); Worcester County 109,259 (9.5%).
14 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $101,341.
How heavy is the energy bill in Massachusetts?
8.5% of income in low-income households, 2.5% overall. Ranking, Massachusetts prices.
| Group | Count | Massachusetts detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 843,270 households | 8.5% of income; $2,243 a year on $26,286 | rank 31 of 51 |
| All households | 2,740,995 households | 2.5%; $3,214 on $126,313 | rank 25 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 302,410 households | 10.9% of 2,762,070 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 35 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 30.48 ¢/kWh | bill $183 a month at 600 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Massachusetts
- Over a dozen gas, electric and combination IOUs offer utility rate discounts totaling nearly $40 million per year and ranging from 20 percent to 42 percent off the low-income customer bill. These discounts were negotiated during...
- Discount Rate If you are currently eligible for fuel assistance, or are receiving one of the benefits listed below, you may also be eligible for Eversource's Discount Rate. Please note, eligibility for the Discount Rate isn't limited to these...
- New Start The New Start program can help eliminate outstanding balances in as little as 12 months. After making on-time monthly payments, Eversource will make up the difference. To qualify, a client must be a current Eversource residential...
- National Grid Discount Rate You may receive a gas or electric discount if you are a low-income residential customer and participate in the following public assistance programs:
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Bay State Gas, Berkshire Gas, Citizens Energy, City of Boston, Essex County Gas, Eversource (Western Massachusetts Electric / NSTAR) and 5 more.
Massachusetts on the map
Next to Massachusetts
Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont. Most FY26 funds per household: Vermont, $86. Massachusetts: $59. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Massachusetts
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities sets rules).
- Call 1-800-632-8175 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, 877-886-5066.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
What income limit does Massachusetts use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $101,341; FY2022 heating standard 297% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Massachusetts?
Call 1-800-632-8175. Site: www.mass.gov/hed/community/energy/
Can Massachusetts utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; none listed for heat. November 15 - March 15
How big is the energy burden in Massachusetts?
8.5% of income for low-income households, 2.5% for all; $2,243 a year for the first group.
How many Massachusetts households got energy help?
133,635 in FY2022, 150,047 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $1,344.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Massachusetts bill?
$540 per poor household, 25% of $2,194.
How much LIHEAP money does Massachusetts get?
$163.3 million in FY2026, $59 per household, rank 8 of 51.