Emergency Assistance

(Winter 2009-2010)

Although the American Red Cross is unable to provide emergency fuel assistance or non-disaster related assistance, there are resources available to help qualified residents in our chapter area.  The Community Action Agencies for this area are listed below along with contact information.  In addition, each community may have local groups who are able to help out in an emergency...please contact the office of your city/town clerk or senior center for information.  Church groups sometimes have funds available to help their parishioners, please contact your church office.

Community Action Agencies:

Action, Inc:   Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-By-the-Sea, Rockport, Wenham
Contact information: Telephone: 978-282-1000 or 800-696-9276 / Energy Program 978-283-2131
website: http://actioninc.org/

North Shore Community Action Program:   Beverly
Contact information: Telephone 978-531-0767 / http://www.nscap.org/

Community Action, Inc:   Amesbury, Byfield, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury
Contact information: Telephone 978-373-1971 / website: http://www.communityactioninc.org/

Community Charitable Group:

Good Friday Walk, Inc:   North Shore area
Contact information: Telephone 978-927-5847 / website: http://www.goodfridaywalk.org/

Statewide Assistance Information:
(For cities/towns not listed above)

Massachusetts Association For Community Action
Contact information: website: http://www.masscap.org/

Given the high cost of home heating oil, natural gas, and electricity, hundreds of thousands of working families will have tremendous difficulty heating their homes this winter. If you need help with home heating costs, please call your local Community Action Agency. You may qualify for its fuel assistance program. For an easy-to-use list and map with contact information for your local Community Action Agency, visit our Agencies and Services page. Also, for home heating safety tips, visit the Department of Fire Safety's website at www.mass.gov/dfs (once there, scroll to—or search on—"Keep Warm, Keep Safe").

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP):

Contact information: click here or call 1-800-632-8175.  Protection from having your Gas or Electric Service Shut-Off this Winter.
Massachusetts protects our most vulnerable citizens from having electric or gas heating service shut off. Please contact LIHEAP if you need assistance.

Other Local Energy/Fuel Assistance Programs:

October 1, 2009

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

A Partner Agency Program

FEMA has announced a program called EFSP where grant funds are used for the following:

·         to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies

·         to prevent homelessness

·         for referrals to other agencies in your community, for stranded travelers or other social services clients who are not eligible for Disaster or AFES (Military families) assistance from your local Red Cross chapter

·         Action, Inc of Gloucester 978-282-8000, 180 Main St., is the only local agency funded to service the 15 cities and towns of the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts

·         Ask  for Tim Riley or Ronna Resnick and the EFSP program

·         Fax # is 978-283-0523

Citizens Energy Heat Assistance:
Citizens Energy Heat Assistance programs help people who cannot afford to pay their heating bills.  The Oil Heat Program gives each eligible household a voucher for 100 free gallons of home heating oil.  The Citizens Energy/Distrigas Heat Assistance program gives a $150 utility bill credit to eligible households who heat with natural gas.
Contact information: OIL  1-877-563-4645  /  GAS  1-866-Gas-9918  /  website: www.citizensenergy.com

Good Neighbor Energy Fund:
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps people in need pay for their winter heating fuel and other energy bills.  The Fund is for people who are facing a short-term financial crises and do not qualify for government fuel assistance programs.
Contact information:  Telephone 1-800-334-3047 / website: www.magoodneighbor.org

The Friends of the Ipswich Elderly:  For Ipswich senior residents.  The Friends of the Ipswich Elderly have received several very generous donations to assist with the home heating costs of Ipswich senior residents.  Patricia Valcour, the Council on Aging Outreach Coordinatior, will assist senior residents with the application process.  She can also let seniors know if they qualify for a number of other programs.  Please call her at 978-356-6650.

Pettengill House:  Newburyport area including Salisbury, and Amesbury.  978-463-8801