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Mass. bill would require automatic LIHEAP re-enrollment when benefits portal is built
Summary
A bill filed in the Massachusetts House would require state agencies developing a centralized benefits portal to automatically re-enroll households that receive fuel assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the next heating season, so long as those households continue to meet federal and state eligibility requirements.
A bill filed in the Massachusetts House would require state agencies developing a centralized benefits portal to automatically re-enroll households that receive fuel assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the next heating season, so long as those households continue to meet federal and state eligibility requirements. Filed Jan. 14, 2025, by Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr. of North Reading and listed co-petitioners, the measure is House Bill No. 3509 and was referred to the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy committee. The bill proposes an amendment to Section 1 of Chapter 174 of the Acts of 2022, as most recently amended by Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2023. It directs that “when developing such portal, said agencies shall ensure that individuals and households who apply and receive fuel assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will be automatically re-enrolled for such benefits for the following heating season, so long as such persons or households continue to meet the federal and state eligibility requirements, as determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.” The text defines “heating season” as the period between Nov. 1 and April 30 of each year, unless the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities designates a different period. The bill does not specify funding for implementing automatic re-enrollment or offer a timetable for the portal’s completion. The filing lists Representative Jones as the lead petitioner and names Representatives Kimberly N. Ferguson (1st Worcester), Paul K. Frost (7th Worcester), Todd M. Smola (1st Hampden) and Hannah Kane (11th Worcester) as additional petitioners. The cover sheet notes a similar matter, House No. 3180, was filed in the 2023–2024 session. If enacted, the bill would change how eligible households are retained in LIHEAP from year to year by shifting re-enrollment mechanics to an online portal and making continued receipt contingent on determinations by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The measure, as filed, is an introduced proposal and has not been voted on or enacted.
