More families eligible for heating help

LYNN - The federal and state government eligibility guidelines for fuel heating assistance are changing to accommodate those with higher incomes.

"Families with higher incomes are now eligible," said John Mogielnicki, executive director of Lynn Economic Opportunity, noting that higher benefit levels are also available for all income-eligible households.

The higher income eligibility guidelines will help the social service agency reach out and help more individuals and families with higher incomes. "During the last several heating seasons it has been heartbreaking to watch families apply and be told that there was no help for them because they earned too much money," he said. "Some people left our office in tears because they simply did not have enough money coming in to provide for their families, yet they still were denied any assistance."

According to Mogielnicki, this year LEO will be able to give some form of assistance to individuals with incomes up to $27,876 and families of four with incomes up to $53,608. "This is a significant increase over the benefit levels last year," he said. "The (overall) amount that we can give individuals and families is also up. The maximum benefit is $1,305, up from $1,165 last year."

LEO has added staff in order to help a range of families in the Greater Lynn area that were formerly beyond the agency's reach. Individuals and families whose incomes are within the new eligibility guidelines for fuel assistance may also receive utility discounts.

"We are doing everything we can to process applications as quickly as possible, but we ask for people's patience because our waiting room has never been busier. The demand for this program is hard to believe," Mogielnicki said.

The eligibility guidelines were expanded and benefits increased as the result of additional federal money targeted for Massachusetts, coupled with contributions from the state government.

LEO's fuel assistance program is open to all eligible resident households in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, Swampscott and Wakefield. Eligibility is based on family size and total household income. Tenants with heat included in their rent may be eligible for benefits depending on the household income.

Households with heat included in their rent and who are in public housing or private subsidized housing where rent is limited to a low percentage of their income may not be eligible for fuel assistance benefits. However, they may be eligible for utility discounts.

For more information, contact LEO in person at156 Broad St., or by calling 781-581-7220, ext. 252. Applications are taken on a walk-in basis only. No appointments are given. Walk-in hours are Monday 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, 1-7 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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