MA senators request fuel aid for Mass.

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Two Massachusetts senators are requesting $20 million in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Community Action has already starting accepting applications and is already helping to heat homes. They hope to receive 20 million dollars like they did last year.

Massachusetts expects to receive nearly $106 million in funding based on the President's budget recommendation.

Many people have already turned their heat. Experts are predicting heating your home with natural gas will increase by 15 percent and that has some people worried.

“We paid probably $300 for the winter months to heat our home with gas. I'm kind of afraid it’s going to be the same this year. I'm currently out of work on disability so it’s going to be a lot tougher to pay for those costs,” said Adam Bartusewich of Greenfield.

Some have chosen to heat their home with their electricity.

Terri Sherburne of Deerfield says even though she’s on a fixed income it is still less expensive than the other alternatives.

The Energy Information Administration predicts heating your home with oil will increase by 19 percent. This would make it the most expensive winter on record.

“The maximum benefit level today as its set up is $750. $750 if you think about certainly not going to get many people if anybody through the winter. The people who apply for fuel assistance should plan to have some out of pocket expenses for the winter,” said Energy Director Peter Wingate of Community Action.

Wingate says the average household spent $2,000 to heat their home with oil last year compared to gas which only $1,300.

You can call Community Action at (413) 774-2310 to apply for fuel assistance.

WEBSITE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION http://www.communityaction.us/index.html
Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.gov/
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program http://www.massresources.org /massachusetts_energy_assistance_d.html