State announces funding for heating assistance during shutdown

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Massachusetts isn’t just grappling with the possible lapse in SNAP during the government shutdown. Home heating assistance is also under threat with federal funding set to be suspended for thousands of Bay State families starting Saturday.

Governor Maura Healey announced Friday that the state will use $13 million in federal funding left over from last year’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to support households during the shutdown.

Last year, HEAP funding helped 159,000 households in the state with 54 percent of those serving seniors on a fixed-income and about 11 percent going to families with children under six years old.

You can CLICK HERE for more information.