Low-income families in Massachusetts are set to receive significant discounts on their natural gas and electric bills through a new state partnership with utility companies, announced by Gov. Maura Healey’s office. Residents enrolled in SNAP benefits, MassHealth, and other public assistance programs will automatically be enrolled in the program and save up to 25 percent on natural gas costs and 42 percent on electric expenses. This could result in savings of up to $460 on gas heating bills and up to $1,058 on electric bills each year for residential customers.
The partnership between the Department of Transitional Assistance, MassHealth, and various utility companies, including Berkshire Gas, Eversource, Liberty Gas, National Grid, and Unitil, is being hailed as a groundbreaking initiative for hundreds of thousands of households. Commissioner Jeff McCue of DTA emphasized that the money saved on utility bills will help low-income individuals and families cover other necessities like food and housing costs.
MassHealth members who are also National Grid customers may see savings of up to 71 percent with a tiered discount program set to take effect later in the year. Residents enrolled in programs like Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children will also be automatically enrolled in the initiative, eliminating the need for paperwork to access the discounts.
National Grid’s chief customer officer, Bill Malee, praised the automatic enrollment in utility bill discounts, stating that it will provide additional benefits and convenience for vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth. This initiative is set to provide much-needed financial relief for low-income families struggling with utility costs in Massachusetts.
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