Franklin County Home Care Corporation
helping elders and caregivers live better lives

Finding the Money: Energy Efficiency and Fuel Assistance

For More Information call 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259 or send us e-mail.
For Orange Seniors: Tracy Gaudet, is our Elder Outreach Worker, 978-544-2259 Ext. 297.

1. Fuel Assistance, Insulation/Weatherization. Assists lower-income households by paying a portion of their home heating costs. The program is available to 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 insulation & weatherization, heating system repair, electric efficiency programs, and subsidized electric and phone bills. Register as soon as possible. Call to apply. If you live in: Franklin County: Community Action, 413-774-2310; Hampshire County: 1-800-370-0940; Athol, Royalston, Phillipston, Petersham, call NE Farm- Workers Council 978-342-4520.

2. Housing Rehabilitation. The Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority administers a major deferred-payment (no payments until the house is sold or transferred to a new owner), zero interest loans on behalf of towns located in Franklin County. The program goal is to enable low to moderate-income homeowners to access up to $30,000 to bring their homes into compliance with local building codes, which includes insulation/ 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. (Other towns? Ask.) www.fchra.org 413 863-9781 ext. 132 or 121. Emergency heat may also be available from RAFT program for two-person households, one with disabilities. Call 413-863-9781 X150, 151. For a similar Worcester County Athol-area program, call Warren Welch, Planning Depart. 978-575-0301.

3. The Public Utilities offer free energy assessments and rebates 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. MASS SAVEcan provide 75% of cost of insulation and weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, up to $2000. Or, the program 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. (See also # 7 for 0% loans).
   Call MASS SAVE HOTLINE: 1- 866-527-7283 or or find a list of all lenders on the Mass SAVE web site.
   (In some cases Franklin County Home Care can provide the 25% matching money for insulation jobs. Check with Info & Referral at 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259.)

4. Cooperative Groups are buying oil and other energy saving devices. These include churches (Interfaith Council) , landlords (For example, Greenfield Landlord’s 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

5. 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. Wood stoves work even if the electricity is out. Pellet stoves only work if electricity runs 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 413-648-9311, or Coop Power (see #4).

6. Some Banks have Pre-Paid Oil Loans and Low Interest Fixed-Rate Energy Efficiency Loans:Franklin First Credit Union, Greenfield, Contact: 413-774-6700; www.franklinfirst.org; Workers Credit Union, Orange, contact 978-345-1021 or www.wcu.com; Greenfield Co-operative Bank, Greenfield 413-772-0293, Citizen’s Bank, (Greenfield Stop & Shop and many other locations) 1-800-922-9999, are offering low personal loans for oil paid to your oil dealer, and/or very low fixed-rate loans repaid over 10-20 years for energy efficiency upgrades, $5000-$50,000.

7. MASS SAVE 0% Interest Loans for energy efficiency upgrades, $2000-$15,000, are accessed through Franklin First (Greenfield) 413-774-9311, Workers (Orange) 978-345-1021, or Southbridge Credit Unions www.sbgecu.org. They require an energy assessment (audit) from MASS SAVE before the work is initiated, contractors estimate, and loan application through one of the above Credit Unions. Eligible installations are for insulation, energy star heating systems, thermostats or hot water systems; replacing single pane with energy star windows. See contact information for MASS SAVE in #3.

8. Emergency Oil. Citizen’s Energy Co. created by Joe Kennedy, provides one free emergency oil delivery. Please do an application in advance. Call in November for 2010 application. Income guidelines apply. Call 1-877-563-4645 (1-877-JOE 4-OIL). For Natural Gas Assistance, call 866-427-9918.

9. 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).

10. 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 help elders conserve resources and stay warm. In Franklin County, you can reach them at 413-774-4726. Some towns have TRIAD officers.

11. 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 change constantly. Also, a good tune-up or installing an updated burner in an existing furnace or an inexpensive heating system update. (For example a Beckett Heat Manager, can save 10-30% on fuel.) Inquire.

12. USDA Loan or Grant: Homeowners are eligible for a Section 504 Home Improvement Grant for up to $7500 and/or a $20,000 loan at 1% paid over 20 years, depending on income (1 person - $27,150/year-in Franklin County). Call USDA Rural Development 413-585-1000 X 4 or www.rurdev.usda.gov/ma

13. Other: We may have other unpublished resources available that fit your specific situation. Please call: Franklin County Home Care Corporation Information and Referral Service. Contact: 413-773-5555; 978-544-2259; 800-732-4636. Send us e-mail

If you believe an elder is being neglected or self-neglecting, we can help. 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.

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