State: Massachusetts

Funding

 

Yes or No

Comment

1

Do annual SBC dollars directly go up/down based on the level of LIHEAP dollars?

No

Rate affordability is provided through rate discounts.

2

Do SBC benefit levels directly go up/down based on the LIHEAP benefit provided?

No

 

3

Does LIHEAP/WAP determine the allocation between program components?

No

 

4

Do LIHEAP benefits go up/down depending on the level of the SBC benefit.?

No

 

Oversight

1

Does LIHEAP/WAP set the size of the overall budget?

No

 

2

Does LIHEAP do the program evaluation for SBC expenditures?

No

 

3

Does the LIHEAP office audit whether utilities make correct SBC payments?

No

 

4

Does LIHEAP provide the daily staffing for SBC program administration?

No

 

5

Does LIHEAP do data collection on SBC recipients?

No

 

Administration

1

Are there explicit differences in SBC and LIHEAP eligibility?

Yes

Rate discount eligibility tied to participation in public benefits, one of which is LIHEAP.

2

Are there explicit differences in the energy bill paid by SBC and LIHEAP?

Some

Rate discounts provided by electric companies also.

3

Does LIHEAP set the amount of the SBC benefit?

No

Benefit is set as a percentage discount. Set by PSC.

4

Does LIHEAP/WAP promulgate SBC program rules?

No

 

5

Does LIHEAP provide the computer connection between utilities and the SBC program?

No

 

6

Is SBC administration centralized at the state level?

No

 

Outreach

1

Does receiving LIHEAP automatically enroll a consumer to receive SBC?

Yes

 

2

Can a household receive SBC without receiving LIHEAP?

Yes

 

3

Are there explicit differences in the target population for SBC and LIHEAP?

No

  

4

Does LIHEAP provide consumer outreach unique to the SBC program?

No

 

Delivery

1

Do all SBC recipients also receive LIHEAP?

No

 

2

All application forms for LIHEAP and SBC the same (WAP and SBC)?

No

 

3

Are time periods within which consumers may apply for LIHEAP and SBC the same?

No

 

4

Are intake agencies identical for SBC and LIHEAP?

Yes

 

5

Do LIHEAP pay SBC benefits directly to the consumer or to utility on consumer's behalf?

No

 

6

Does LIHEAP provide notices of the need for periodic income recertification?

No

 

Contact Person

 

Elliott Jacobsen, Energy Director
Action Energy
47 Washington
Gloucester, MA 01930
TEL: (978) 283-2131
FAX: (978) 283-3567
E-MAIL: elj@actioninc.org