Mass. families to receive federal heating assistance

BOSTON (WWLP) - More than 200,000 Massachusetts families will receive help paying their heating bills this winter.

Governor Patrick today announced that Massachusetts will receive $141 million in federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

It's an increase of $8.2 million over the previous year's funding level.

The funding will be allocated to 22 local agencies that will distribute benefits to households in need.

Benefit levels vary depending on household income.