Maybe if you paid all your bills then you might lose some ,if you have an acrewed bills then it will be applied.I re-aplied also in late october because mine was a renewal not a first apllication and I did not pay my gas bill and it had a balance of 900 something and fuel assistence paid the full $900 march 8.

If you have a back balance it's covered don't worry.

What happens to unused fuel assistence after april varries fuel company to fuel company ,you might ask them.My company Berkshire gas gives us a credit in the system and often I don't get another bill until september but I can't speak for your carrier.

Yes your gas and elecric bills will get a reduced rate for the full year.

Now that your approved your carrier knows you are approved next year they likely won't shut off for delinquent payment and then when the FA hits your account in march the back balance will be covered.

The likelyhood is that your carrier will pay the full benefit by 4-30-23 and your account will have a large credit but I can't guaruntee that though.

Thanks! We managed to pay the gas (national grid) and electric (eversource) but barely. Sometimes, it would be a little late, and I would send what we could in increments.

Now that you are qualified on your first year,requalification is much easier and national grid will now know by late december if you've requalified and you won't be shut off for non-payment.So next year you have no worries and you can let FA pay it all.

As far as this year I can't tell you because I have Berkshire Gas and they may be different that national Grid.Hopefully you'll get a credit!

The application was lengthy, but we submitted everything. It was pending for about 3 months. I've been unemployed while going through treatment for breast cancer. We relied on my husband's income, and while having small kids at home, it sure was nerve wracking..especially with the price of groceries. I appreciate your response!

The first application is awful ,from now on you only need to report changes ,but if no changes it's just sign and return next year

Thank you!

Recently was approved for fuel assistance, too. The MA state website has some general info and also about other programs.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-home-energy-assistance-liheap

Also i just learned about Joe-4-Sun. It could be a supplement to the fuel assistance; website says it can save a few hundred in a year. It’s basically solar credits (clean energy!) but the nonprofit pays 50% of the solar bill credits earned and you’d pay the other half. Am looking into it, so don’t have personal experience to report

https://www.citizensenergy.com/joe4sun-ma

Glad you were able to get approved! I’m sure it’s a help esp with the increase in fuel this year .