MASSACHUSETTS RATEPAYER FUNDED PROGRAMS | The LIHEAP Clearinghouse

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Rate Assistance

Low-Income Discount

Eligibility: Customer of natural gas or electric IOU with income at or below 60% SMI, not exceeding 200% FPG, and/or recipient of certain means tested programs (SNAP, Head Start, MassHealth/Medicaid, etc.)

Monthly discount of varies by utility from 20% to 42% off natural gas and electricity bills

Arrears Management

Arrearage Management Program (AMP)

Eligibility: Residential utility customer eligible for LIHEAP or low-income discount, owe at least $300 in overdue bills, up to 6 months past due on their bill, agree to payment plan and make payments on time, participate in budget counseling and EE programs

Benefits vary by utility, but most set up an affordable payment plan for past due and current charges, won't disconnect service for non-payment if the payment plan is followed; and forgive part or all of client debt if payment plan is followed and forgive all or part of a client debt up to $1,500 - $2,000 if payment plan is followed.

Energy Efficiency

Low-Income Demand-Side Management Program (LIDSM)

Eligibility: LIHEAP or low-income discount-eligible

In coordination with DOE WAP, measures include: attic and/or wall insulation, blower door directed air sealing, heating system repairs and replacements and ventilation

Appliance Management Programs

Eligibility: Low-income discount recipient or 60% SMI

Provides lighting upgrades and replaces high-use electric appliances such as refrigerators and freezers

Participating Utilities

Low Income Discount: National Grid, Eversource (formerly NStar and Western Massachusetts Electric), Berkshire Gas, Columbia Gas, Liberty Utilities (formerly New England Gas)

Arrearage: Same as for discount

LIDSM and Appliance Management: Same as for discount

Annual Funding (2016)

Low-Income Discount: $118 million

AMP: $19.4 million

Low Income DSM and Appliance Management: $108 million

Households Served (2016)

Low-Income Discount: 280,000

AMP: 22,000

LI DSM and Appliance Management: 20,000

Funding Mechanism

Discount: Included in the rates of all distribution utility customers

LIDSM: 0.25 mills per kWh charge on electric IOU customers; gas efficiency surcharge on gas IOU customers

Administration

Low-Income Discount and AMP: Utilities with Department of Public Utilities oversight

LIDSM and Appliance Management: Utilities in coordination with WAP network

LEGISLATION

Authorizing

Restructuring law mandating discount

Other Important

3 year EE plans filed with DPU 2013-2015

REPORTS / EVALUATIONS

Plans, evaluations on EE programs

Helping Low-Income Utility Customers Manage Overdue Bill through Arrearage Management, National Consumer Law Center, September 2013.

CURRENT PROGRAMS
Rate Assistance	Low-Income Discount Eligibility: Customer of natural gas or electric IOU with income at or below 60% SMI, not exceeding 200% FPG, and/or recipient of certain means tested programs (SNAP, Head Start, MassHealth/Medicaid, etc.) Monthly discount of varies by utility from 20% to 42% off natural gas and electricity bills
Arrears Management	Arrearage Management Program (AMP) Eligibility: Residential utility customer eligible for LIHEAP or low-income discount, owe at least $300 in overdue bills, up to 6 months past due on their bill, agree to payment plan and make payments on time, participate in budget counseling and EE programs Benefits vary by utility, but most set up an affordable payment plan for past due and current charges, won't disconnect service for non-payment if the payment plan is followed; and forgive part or all of client debt if payment plan is followed and forgive all or part of a client debt up to $1,500 - $2,000 if payment plan is followed.
Energy Efficiency	Low-Income Demand-Side Management Program (LIDSM) Eligibility: LIHEAP or low-income discount-eligible In coordination with DOE WAP, measures include: attic and/or wall insulation, blower door directed air sealing, heating system repairs and replacements and ventilation Appliance Management Programs Eligibility: Low-income discount recipient or 60% SMI Provides lighting upgrades and replaces high-use electric appliances such as refrigerators and freezers
Participating Utilities	Low Income Discount: National Grid, Eversource (formerly NStar and Western Massachusetts Electric), Berkshire Gas, Columbia Gas, Liberty Utilities (formerly New England Gas) Arrearage: Same as for discount LIDSM and Appliance Management: Same as for discount
Annual Funding (2016)	Low-Income Discount: $118 million AMP: $19.4 million Low Income DSM and Appliance Management: $108 million
Households Served (2016)	Low-Income Discount: 280,000 AMP: 22,000 LI DSM and Appliance Management: 20,000
Funding Mechanism	Discount: Included in the rates of all distribution utility customers LIDSM: 0.25 mills per kWh charge on electric IOU customers; gas efficiency surcharge on gas IOU customers
Administration	Low-Income Discount and AMP: Utilities with Department of Public Utilities oversight LIDSM and Appliance Management: Utilities in coordination with WAP network
LEGISLATION
Authorizing	Restructuring law mandating discount
Other Important	3 year EE plans filed with DPU 2013-2015
REPORTS / EVALUATIONS
Plans, evaluations on EE programs Helping Low-Income Utility Customers Manage Overdue Bill through Arrearage Management, National Consumer Law Center, September 2013.