Athol Daily News – The Bon Voisin Energy Fund open to eligible households

Energy companies across the state are coming together to support neighbors in need with the announcement that the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is now open to all eligible households.

The fund helps families and individuals affected by a temporary crisis, such as COVID-19 or job loss, and who are not eligible for federal or state assistance for the payment of their household energy expenses.

This campaign year’s fund disbursement is $ 500 per qualifying household per heating season.

The goal of the 37th Annual Good Neighbor Energy Fund’s “Give Heat” campaign is to raise $ 500,000 and help over 1,000 households. The fund opened on October 4.

“We are opening the fund to all eligible applicants sooner than ever because we understand the heightened urgency of the need for home energy assistance due to the financial hardships of Massachusetts households further exacerbated by the coronavirus,” said Mary Ellen Molloy, 2021-2022 Campaign Chair for the Good Neighbor Energy Fund and Regulatory Affairs Specialist for Eversource Energy, in a prepared statement.

People in temporary crisis are encouraged to visit the Fund’s website at www.magoodneighbourhood.org to see if they are eligible for assistance.

Molloy said the fund has raised more than $ 22.5 million and helped more than 91,250 households in need pay their monthly energy bills since its inception in 1985.

The fund is often the last resort for families who do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs.

The Massachusetts Division of the Salvation Army, which administers the fund for sponsoring energy companies, pays the energy supplier directly to households with gross income between 60 and 80 percent of the median income level of State. For example, a four-person household would need to have a total gross annual income between $ 78,752 and $ 105,001 to qualify.

“Millions of Americans still suffer the continuing impacts of the pandemic as they struggle to recover and stay home,” said Jeffrey Bailey, director of social services for the Massachusetts Division of the Salvation Army, in a statement. “With the end of the COVID-era federal unemployment programs established by the CARES Act, the Salvation Army predicts an unprecedented increase in requests for heating assistance, especially as temperatures begin to drop. The fund is ready to help our neighbors in difficulty while we remain on the front line of needs. “

To apply for help from the Fund, visit the local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or call 800-334-3047 for those living in area codes 508, 617, 781 or 978 – or 800-262 -1320 for those living in the 413 area code.

The fund’s distribution award letter will also serve as a qualifier for the Mass Save Enhanced Insulation Incentive for utility customers owned by Massachusetts investors. Concretely, the offer offers qualified customers free insulation, as well as other energy saving measures free of charge.

Massachusetts residents who wish to support the Fund can “Give the Gift of Heat” using the Green Neighborhood Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in monthly energy bills or through the “Add a Dollar” program that some energy companies offer which allows customers to increase their monthly utility bill payment by a dollar or more.

Customers can also donate online by visiting www.magoodneighbourhood.org or simply send a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund” and send it to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, c / o The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, 02021-1408.