Airing on WBUR on May 28, 2025, Miriam Wasser talks to NCLC Senior Attorney Jenifer Bosco about how LIHEAP, the Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program, popular program that helps low-income families pay for heating and cooling, is on the chopping block.
Critics of LIHEAP also argue the program isn’t necessary because most states already forbid utilities from shutting off heat during the winter when customers can’t pay their bills.
While this is true, the policy doesn’t protect people who use fuel oil or propane.
“Just because you’re protected from being disconnected for a period of time, it doesn’t mean you have free utility service during that period of time. You still owe the money.”
Jenifer Bosco, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.
A recent NCLC report found that as of last September, the average person in Massachusetts who was behind on utility bills owed $997. The average low-income customer who fell behind owed $1,471.
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