Massachusetts aid fund can provide as much as $400 to households that don’t qualify for other energy programs

"Together, we are helping households keep up with essential energy costs when they need it most."

Massachusetts households that earn too much to qualify for many public utility assistance programs may still have a way to get help with home energy bills. The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund has launched its "Give the Gift of Warmth" campaign for the 2026-2027 period, offering grants of up to $400 to eligible residents facing temporary financial hardship.

What to know

Applications for the campaign opened in late October. According to the Franklin Observer, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division runs the fund, which supports income-eligible residents who are not covered by state or federal energy-assistance programs.

To qualify, applicants must have a gross household income between 60% and 80% of the Massachusetts state median and must be ineligible for other state or federal energy aid. Households that meet the requirements can receive up to $400 toward a monthly energy expense.

The program sends payments directly to the household’s energy provider and is aimed at families that earn too much for certain assistance programs but still struggle with heating or utility bills after an unexpected financial setback.

Supporters of the fund, including participating energy companies, nonprofit partners, state leaders and community stakeholders, attended the campaign kickoff. National Grid and Eversource Energy jointly donated more than $325,000 to the effort.

More background

During the most recent campaign, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund helped more than 1,250 households across the state with home energy expenses.

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Since it was created in 1985, the fund has raised more than $25.5 million and helped nearly 99,000 Massachusetts households.

Boston 25 News meteorologist Vicki Graf offered a winter weather outlook, and Melissa Lavinson, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Energy Transformation, delivered the keynote speech.

How it works

The fund is designed for Massachusetts households that do not qualify for state or federal energy assistance and are dealing with short-term financial trouble that leaves them unable to cover one month of energy costs.

Through a household’s energy provider, grants of up to $400 are applied directly to a monthly bill.

At the kickoff event, representatives from participating energy companies announced their annual contributions, while customers, businesses and individual donors also help support the fund.

Residents can apply through their local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or Service Extension Unit. More information about eligibility, donations and the program is available at magoodneighbor.org.

As Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund Chair Justin Stearns said, “For more than four decades, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund has helped fill an important gap for Massachusetts households facing an unexpected financial setback. The kickoff highlighted the generosity of our sponsoring energy companies, their customers and supporters across the Commonwealth. Together, we are helping households keep up with essential energy costs when they need it most.”

Where to learn more

Massachusetts residents looking for additional ways to manage energy costs can find more help in these stories, which cover winter heating aid, high heating-oil prices and utility assistance events.

• Massachusetts renters and homeowners can get winter heating help before cold weather pushes bills higher.

• Massachusetts households are preparing for a $2,627 heating-oil winter as Gov. Maura Healey seeks relief.

• In Brockton, National Grid customers can get bill help and payment options before shutoffs loom.

• Worcester County residents can seek in-person utility bill help as summer cooling costs climb.