NEWBURYPORT — For the first time in recent years, Community Action Inc. Heating Assistance appointments are available in downtown Newburyport at the YWCA, 13 Federal St.
Newburyport YWCA Executive Director John Feehan said he is making office space available to CAI Heating Assistance staff on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site is available by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling the Community Action Heating Assistance program at 978-373-1971.
The CAI Heating Assistance Program helps low-income residents pay heating bills incurred between Nov. 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010. Communities served include Haverhill, Amesbury, Newburyport, Groveland, Merrimac, Boxford, Georgetown, West Newbury, Newbury, Salisbury and Rowley.
Last winter, CAI served more than 3,600 individuals and families with heating assistance payments, Community Action Energy Director John Condon said. This winter, the maximum household grant is set at $800, Condon said. Residents who have their heat included in their rent may qualify for up to a 30 percent payment off their monthly rent.
Program participants will also qualify for additional benefits, Condon said. Oil heat customers are able to purchase oil at a special discounted rate offered by Community Action's low bid vendors. Also, program participants automatically qualify for utility discounts up to 20 percent if they are customers of National Grid, for gas and/or electric and Verizon telephone for land line service only.
Condon said CAI also provides help with heating repair costs for eligible homeowners, and weatherization assistance is available for homes and apartments that have not received this service to date.
Eligibility for heating assistance is based on total household income. The maximum annual gross income for a single person is $29,126; a family of two, $38,088; a family of three, $47,050; a family of four, $56,012.
Condon said all eligible applicants must call CAI's Haverhill office at 978-373-1971 to schedule an appointment. Proof of income must be provided for the most recent four-week period. Appointments can be scheduled for Haverhill, Amesbury and Newburyport locations.
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