Get Help with Winter Heating Bills: Apply to the Home Energy Assistance Program!


9/29/2025 • 2 months ago

A woman adjusts a thermostat in her home

Do you need help paying your winter heating bills? The Cambridge Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), formerly the Fuel Assistance Program, helps income-eligible residents pay heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Applications will be accepted through the online application portal through April 30, 2026.

Federal Shutdown Impact and Heat-Related Emergency Help:

Update (November 17, 2025):

  • The federal government shutdown has ended and federal funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has resumed. 
  • The Cambridge HEAP Office is working diligently to review applications and to award benefits to eligible applicants as quickly as possible. However, as a result of the federal shutdown, applicants should continue to anticipate delays in receiving determinations and in receiving their benefit amounts (if eligible). 
  • The Commonwealth’s Department of Public Utilities will continue to prohibit gas and electric companies from shutting off service to households that receive a low-income discount rate on their utility bills, effective through April 1, 2026. 

Heating-Related Emergencies: HEAP staff will continue to help applicants who are experiencing a no-heat emergency.  Heating emergencies include: no heat, less than 1/8 of a tank of oil or less than 3 days' supply of other deliverable fuels, or if your household receives a shut off notice

  • If you are experiencing a no-heat emergency, please call the Cambridge HEAP Office at 617-665-6234 to receive assistance within 24 hours.

We encourage Cambridge and Somerville residents to continue applying to HEAP. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in order of submission. 

You Are Eligible to Apply If:

  • You are a Cambridge or Somerville resident
  • You are a renter or homeowner
  • You meet federal income guidelines (view webpage for details)

How to Apply

  • Apply online through the Massachusetts' HEAP online portal. 
  • Mail application documents to: Cambridge Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) c/o Dept. of Human Service Programs, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139.
  • Drop off application documents at: the HEAP office (51 Inman St., Basement Level, Cambridge, MA 02139) or in the HEAP drop box located outside of the Basement Level entrance of 51 Inman St. on Inman Place. 

You can check the status of your HEAP application by calling 617-665-6234. 

For more information about the program, visit www.cambridgema.gov/HeatingHelp.