Energy Efficiency and Fuel Assistance
Franklin County Home Care (FCHCC), the federal and state “Agency on Aging,” uses surveys and focus groups to assess the unmet needs of elders in our 30 town service area. Although 82% of elders in Franklin County and North Quabbin own their homes, the average income/elder is just $13,000/ year, and keeping homes repaired is our biggest unmet need.
FCHCC has received funding from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, to develop a guide to help elders locate resources that are available, town by town. While it will take us months to complete this town-by-town guide, we are providing information on programs in energy efficiency and fuel assistance. Your first priority should be for insulation, weatherization, and efficient home heating systems, because that kind of investment will save money on fuel year after year. Resources available are changing fast! Keep posted, and please call the Home Care Information and Referral Center for updates and with concerns.
Orange Seniors: Tracy Gaudet, is our Elder Outreach Worker, 978-544-2259 Ext. 297.
Some basic sources identified so far include:
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Fuel Assistance Programs assist low-income households by paying a portion of their home heating costs. The program is available to both homeowners and renters. Program eligibility and payment amounts are determined by family size and gross annual household income. A household that is accepted for fuel assistance is also eligible for weatherization, heating system repair, electric efficiency programs, and subsidized electric and phone bills.
Call to apply, based on where you live. If you live in:
Franklin County, call Community Action, 413-774-2310
Hampshire County, call 1-800-370-0940
Athol, Royalston, Phillipston and Petersham, call NE Farm- Workers Council, beginning November 1 at 978-342-4520, or check with Montachusett Opportunity Council in Fitchburg, 978-342-7025. -
Housing Rehabilitation. The Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority administers deferred payment, zero interest loans on behalf of towns located in Franklin County. The program goal is to enable low to moderate-income homeowners to bring their homes into compliance with local building codes, which includes weatherization and elimination of lead-based paint hazards. Funding is currently available for homeowners in Bernardston, Colrain, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Montague, Northfield, Rowe, Shelburne and Whately. www.fchra.org 413 863-9781 ext. 132 or 121.
For the Athol Program, call Warren Welch at the Planning Department 978-575-0301.
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The Public Utilities offer free energy assessments through MASS SAVE. Energy advisors carefully survey the house and appliances, and offer generous rebates for energy efficiency upgrades for households of any income level. Rebates can provide 50% of cost of insulation and weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, up to $1500, or can provide a 0% interest loan for a new heating system that is up to 97% efficient, saving a great deal on fuel. An assessment (energy audit) is required in advance, scheduling is 2-3 months ahead. (see also # 7).
Call through MASS SAVE HOTLINE: 1- 866-527-7283
or try the web site at: http://www.masssave.com/customers/index.php -
Cooperative Groups are also getting together to buy oil. These include churches (Interfaith Council), landlords (for example, Greenfield Landlords’ Association), and Coop Power, Greenfield, a membership network, which is also organizing “sweat equity” installations of solar hot water heaters, discounts on heating appliances, discounted bulk oil purchases, and lots of other energy saving ideas. . Call 413-772-8898 or 877-266-7543; www.cooppower.coop; email info@cooppower.coop
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Bio-Mass (such as Woodstove and Pellet Stove) Installations. It takes more work to load and clean out a wood or pellet stove, but it is comforting to have the supply of fuel in hand before the winter. Wood stoves work even if the electricity is out. Pellet stoves only work if there is electricity to run the pellet feed system, (unless a battery back-up is used). Make sure that the fuel needed—wood or pellets—is still available before purchasing a new appliance, and that the installation meets the building/ fire code. In Franklin County try: Bernardston Farmer’s Supply or Nash Hearth and Leisure (Whately) or Coop Power (see above, #4).
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Banks with Energy Efficiency and/or Pre-Paid Oil Loans: Franklin First Credit Union, Greenfield, open for membership to anyone who lives or works or goes to school in Franklin County, offers two programs: For a pre-paid oil contract, a personal loan 2% below original loan rate, payable over 12 months, with the check made payable to your oil dealer. Or, for energy efficient heating systems, insulation, or to replace single pane with energy star windows: Loans, 2% below personal rate, up to $8000, are payable over 48 months. Contact: 413-774-6700; www.franklinfirst.org; Greenfield Co-operative Bank is offering a 4% fixed rate loan repaid over 10 years, $5000-$50,000 for energy efficiency upgrades. For those who save rather than borrow, a special energy savers account offers a 4%/year interest rate . Contact: 413-772-0293
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0% Interest Loans for energy efficiency upgrades, $2000-$10,000, are supported by MASS SAVE and accessed through Franklin First (Greenfield), Workers (Orange), or Southbridge Credit Unions. They require an energy assessment before the work is initiated, contractors estimate, and loan application. Eligible installations are for insulation, energy star heating systems & thermostats or hot water systems; replacing single pane with energy star windows, and other upgrades. For contact see Mass Save information in #3, above.
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Emergency Oil. Citizen’s Energy Co. created by Joe Kennedy, with free oil from Venezuela (CITGO), provided one free emergency oil delivery of 100 gallons for those in need in 2007. Please do an application in advance. 2008 application will be ready in November. Income guidelines apply. Call 1-877-563-4645 (1-877-JOE 4-OIL). Or, for Natural Gas Assistance call 866-427-9918.
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Emergency Fuel. The Salvation Army Service Centers provide access to the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Fund for emergency fuel. Please call 1-800-262-1320 (if you are in area code 413) or 1-800-334-3047 (if you are in any other MA area code).
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TRIAD, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, works with local Police Departments and Fire Departments, to alert seniors to current scams, inspect homes and install safety equipment, provide equipment to aid mobility, give information on tax abatements and deferments and offer support to conserve resources and stay warm. You can reach them at 774-4726.
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Oil Companies: Some are offering senior discounts of 2-3 cents a gallon, discounts for pre-paid contracts and budgeting systems that can be paid over 10-12 months. Prices are changing constantly.lso, installing an inexpensive heating system update, for example Country Oil offers a Beckett Heat Manager, that can save 10% on fuel. Inquire.
- Joann Glier at the Housing Authority said their RAFT program (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) is not often accessed by elders but can make a difference for them by buying fuel oil while they wait to qualify for fuel assistance. Funds from RAFT can also be used to pay for mortgages and utilities as well.
In general, she said the elder must be part of a family of two--both adults. One must be disabled with a note from their health care provider. Their pay cap is $3,000.
Their guidelines and forms are not quite ready, but she welcomes calls from anyone to clarify qualifying info and program info. She said she believes many elders who don't believe they'd qualify for this program really would. Please call 413-863-9781. Joann is at Ext 150 and Kathy can also help you at Ext 151.
Franklin County Home Care Corporation Information and Referral Service offers more detailed information and updates.
Contact:
413-773-5555
978-544-2259
800-732-4636
If you believe an elder is being neglected or self-neglecting, please call our
Protective Service program during normal business hours at
413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259 or 800-732-4636.
The 24 hour hotline is 800-922-2275.