Letter to Fuel Assistance Customers

Originally published June 27, 2016

Dear Valued Customer,
 
I recently attended a meeting for fuel dealers held by the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) in their office on the second floor of the Denholm Building at 484 Main Street in Worcester. The purpose of this meeting was to update us on changes in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Program (HEART). There was good news and bad news shared about this upcoming program year.

First, the bad news is that there are no funds for routine maintenance service (tune-ups) this summer. It is unfortunate, but it seems that the WCAC has used up all the money they had for this purpose by helping their clients make repairs this past winter. Hopefully, they will have more money for this important service next year.

Some good news is there may be more money available this upcoming year to be used for WCAC clients to use for emergency repairs. Last year there was a maximum of $600 allowed per client for repairing their heating systems. It is important to remember that these repairs can only be made for clients who own their own home. If you are a renter, it is the responsibility of the landlord to make repairs to your heating system. It is possible that WCAC will pay for repairs if the landlord is also a LIHEAP client.

If You Are in Need of a New Heating System, Please Read the Following Information!

An important part of the meeting was a segment explaining the greater level of funding available for the HEART Program. This is a program that provides replacement heating systems for WCAC clients who have old, unreliable and inefficient boilers or furnaces. This program is funded through contracts that WCAC has with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and major utilities in Central Massachusetts.

Please note that the HEART Program is not a new program. Many WCAC clients have had their heating systems replaced over the years through this program, and Crowley Fuel Company has done much of this work. It is a competitive bidding system, and we have lost some bids that we hoped to win, particularly those of our customers. Be assured that the work done through this program must comply with all state codes and is inspected by the local fire chief!

I am sending this letter to inform you of these changes and to encourage you to take advantage of the HEART Program if you are in need of a new system or if you know someone who is in need and would qualify. Go to www.wcac.net, call 800-545-457, or contact me if you need more information or think that your heating system needs to be replaced.

Sincerely,
Bob LaFlamme

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