HEATING ASSISTANCE FAQ

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• HEATING ASSISTANCE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING YOUR HEATING ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
• COMMON APPLICATION QUESTIONS
• INCOME DOCUMENTATION YOU NEED TO SEND WITH APPLICATION
• NOTICE OF APPEAL OF RIGHTS

HEATING ASSISTANCE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Heating Assistance?

Heating Assistance is a federally funded program that helps low income households pay for a portion of their heating bills during the winter months (November through April).

How do I apply for Heating Assistance?

If you are applying for Heating Assistance for the first time please contact QCAP to schedule an intake appointment. You will be asked to provide household income, housing, and heating source documentation. Missing information will delay your eligibility. 

Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to apply for Heating Assistance?

You do not have to be a U.S. Citizen to apply for Heating Assistance, nor does everyone in the household have to be a U.S. Citizen. You will need to provide verification of U.S. Citizenship or Qualified Alien status. For Further information please call the office at (617) 657-5301.

What if I have applied for Heating Assistance within the last 2 years?

A re-certification application for Heating Assistance will be mailed to you before November 1st.  If you have lost or misplaced your application, please contact Energy Programs at (617) 657-5301.

Please be sure to send in all information with your heating assistance application as quickly as possible so that we can review and process your application.

Does the intake worker process my application?

The intake worker takes your information and tries to obtain all information needed to complete the application. Your application will be reviewed based on program guidelines. A letter will be sent to you requesting additional information, or informing you of your eligibility and benefit amount.

How long until I get an answer?

Once you have had either your intake appointment or returned your re-certification application you should receive a written response within 6 weeks. At that time we will let you know if your application has been approved, denied or determined to be incomplete.

What if I get a letter requesting more information?

If you receive a notice, you must supply all the requested information for your application to be processed. Your application will remain incomplete until this information is received.

How will I be notified if I am accepted for Heating Assistance?

All applicants are notified by mail of their approval, and benefit amount. The heating company is also notified at this time. If applicant is denied eligibility, they will be notified by mail with the reason for denial and an appeal form if you wish to appeal.

What if my heat is included in the rent?

In some instances, if your heat is included with your rent, you may be eligible to receive 30% of your rent amount for the heating season or until your benefits are exhausted. Certain rent subsidies may not be eligible.

How do my bills get paid?

If you are approved for Heating Assistance, funds are paid directly to the heating provider for oil, electric, gas or propane.

Should I pay my heating bills?

It is important to make payments on your heating bill, even after applying for Heating Assistance, as your benefit amount may not cover your entire heating bill for the heating season.

Do I receive a discount on my utility bills?

If you are approved for Heating Assistance you will be eligible for a discount on your National Grid and Eversource utility bills. QCAP’s Energy Program will notify the appropriate utility companies of discount eligibility.

What detailed information do I need to complete my re-certification application?

The following is detailed information on the re-certification application. Your Heating Assistance application sent to you is for the coming winter’s program, and will be your application for other QCAP Energy Programs, such as Weatherization, and Utility Discount and Conservation Programs. Heating Assistance pays for heating your home starting November 1st through April 30th, up to your maximum Heating Assistance benefit level. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING YOUR HEATING ASSISTANCE APPLICATION

• Read and correct any printed information on your application.
• Return your signed application (signature line is now on the reverse side of the application form) with:

1. Proof of income for each member of the household, and
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Qualified Alien status
3. A recent heating bill with name, address and account number.
4. Answer all questions, including those at the bottom of the front page of the application.

COMMON APPLICATION QUESTIONS

OTHER MEMBERS – If adding a new person to the household, write name, age, and date of birth, provide verification of citizenship or qualified Alien Status, income source, and proof of income as listed below.

HEATING INFORMATION – If oil, QCAP will need to know the location of your fill.

UTILITY INFORMATION – Verify your gas and electric account numbers.

TELEPHONE CONTACT INFORMATION – Is your phone number(s) correct?

INCOME DOCUMENTATION YOU NEED TO SEND WITH APPLICATION

To complete your application you must include copies of all income for each household member. Last 30-days of income information is required to avoid delays in determining eligibility. Please note QCAP is now required to verify records on file with the Federal Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance.

Social Security, SSI, SSDI, SSP – A) A copy of current award letters, or B) An Annual Statement Letter from Social Security for SS or DTA (for supplemental SSI checks).

VA Benefits – A copy of current check stub showing GROSS VA amount or letter from source with Gross amount received monthly.

Pension/Retirement Income – A copy of current check stub showing GROSS Pension, or a current letter from source with Gross amount received monthly.

IRAs – IRA withdrawals and distributions need to be documented using current 1099-R, or monthly statement.

Interest and Dividends – Copy of current 1099 tax form, or yearly statement. Copy of IRS 1040 and Schedule B. All interest & dividends must be reported.

Rental Income – Copy of most recent IRS 1040, and Schedule E. Call QCAP if you do not file taxes.

Wages – Copies of pay stubs for 4 consecutive weeks (most recent 4 weeks prior to the date you return your application)

Unemployment –DUA printout of Monitory Determination page with a copy of the payment screen, or check stubs printout for most recent 4 weeks.

Alimony/Child Support – Copies of checks for 30 days, or copy of most recent Court Order, or letter from lawyer, or letter from former spouse (with current address) or contact the office for an agency form – all must show amount of support, and frequency of check.

TAFDC/EAEDC – Documentation stating your current grant amount.

Other Income – Documentation stating royalties, regular lottery payment, regular insurance payments, regular ongoing cash support from others, stipends/fellowships/scholarships used for maintenance, Estate or Trust income, housing allowance, or any other payment considered income.

Lump Sum Income – Documentation stating income from lump sum receipts such as stocks, bonds, Capital Gains, royalties, inheritances, one time insurance payments (excluding life insurance and third party payments) one time Alimony or Child Support in lieu of monthly payment, lottery winnings paid in lump sum. These are counted only on the first year application.

No Income – Please call & request a Statement of No Income form which needs to be completed by any household member age 18 & over, having no income for any time during the 30 days prior to mailing your application. All zero income households will need to provide housing cost documentation.

Student Status – Full and Part Time Students (18 to 23 years of age) need to send proof of current full time or part time enrollment status from Registrar’s Office of the school they attend.

Self-Employment – Please call QCAP for instructions on what you will need to send. Business Equity Information is required if gross receipts/revenue are greater than $250,000 per year

**HOMEOWNERS ONLY – send a current real estate tax bill, mortgage statement and homeowner’s insurance bill for all Real Estate property that you own.

NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS

 If you have been denied assistance, or you disagree with the amount of assistance, you may appeal within 20 working days of receipt of any notice of eligibility, or ineligibility.

Mail appeals to: QCAP Energy Program, 1509 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169.

Appeals will be accepted no later than June 25, 2027.

 You may appeal for the following reasons:

1. If you  have been denied assistance, or you dispute the amount of assistance, you may appeal within 20 business days of receipt of any notice of ineligibility.
2. If 45 business days have passed since the date QCAP received your application and no action has been taken, or if it is after November 1—whichever is later.
3. If the income or household size has changed since you completed your application. Please note the changes must have occured on or before April 30th.

Please note that June 25, 2027 is the last day QCAP will accept appeals. QCAP will schedule an informal hearing if you request it within the deadlines on an appeal form. QCAP will respond with a written decision within 10 business days following the hearing. If you do not have a formal hearing, QCAP may still require you to submitnew or addittional documentation in support of your appeal.

If you wish to appeal a written appeal decision from QCAP, you may file an appeal to: Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, HEAP Appeals, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114 or submit electronically at eohlcHEAPappeals@mass.gov