State offers fuel assistance to higher income families

LYNN – The state has increased the number of families eligible for heating fuel assistance to include those with incomes higher than previously allowed and, in some cases, doubled the benefits for families with the highest eligible incomes.The change in benefit levels could help many Greater Lynn families who might be described as lower middle class with incomes just above the state’s former eligibility caps, according to John Mogielnicki, executive director of Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO) Inc. “The state has allowed us to serve people with more money who are still having trouble paying their heat bills,” he said Tuesday.For example, a family of six with a total income of $70,763 would be eligible for fuel assistance of $895, or nearly twice the previous benefit. In Massachusetts, a typical family of six has an income of approximately $100,000. The new benefit level for that income bracket is based on 60 percent of that amount, or $70,763.”What we’re saying is, if you make $70,000 and support a family of six, get in here and we’ll give you $895 to help with your heating bill. That’s an increase of 50 percent for the families with higher incomes,” Mogielnicki said. “It buys them another tank of oil or at least approaches covering all of their heating cost for the worst part of the year.”The new guidelines make individuals earning up to $27,876 eligible for assistance, while a family of two can earn up to $36,454. A family of three can earn up to $45,031, a family of four up to $53,608, and a family of five up to $62,186 and still be eligible.”This is a real help to the working families and seniors on fixed incomes who always seem to be earning or receiving just a bit too much money to receive substantial benefits,” said Marilyn Foster, president of the LEO Board of Directors. “With the economy the way it is, this increase will definitely help these folks meet their rent, food and other expenses.”Benefit levels were increased across the board for all eligible households for the remainder of the winter, said Mogielnicki, noting the biggest increase in benefits applies to families earning between $42,400 and $53,608. Families with lower incomes were made eligible for more modest fuel assistance increases, he said.”This increase is in addition to the Department of Housing and Community Development’s move last October increasing both the benefit levels and the maximum income levels per household,” he said.Fuel assistance applications will be accepted through April 1. All heads of household who believe they are eligible should apply. Applications are accepted weekly at the LEO office, 156 Broad St., on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays from 1-7 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. To 3 p.m.The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program specifically designed to help low income residents meet their high heating costs. Energy costs eat up a higher percentage of total income of low and moderate income households, compared to households with higher incomes.”The state did the right thing by upping these benefits,” Mogielnick said. “The more low income you are, the more assistance we can generally give you. But now the state is saying it’s OK for us to help those who make more money. As a result, that population, the families making between $42,000 and $53,000, have had their benefits doubled.”LEO provided heating assistance for more than 3,500 Lynn families or 11,000 individuals last winter. “We’re at record levels and we expect to surpass it now that people with higher incomes are eligible,” he said.