By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to legislation that would require automatic re-enrollment of eligible residents into the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) each year rather than forcing recipients to annually re-apply for benefits, as long as they continue to meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

“In 2022, the Legislature authorized the creation of an online common application portal to streamline the process and allow residents in need to simultaneously apply for state benefits and services overseen by multiple state agencies,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “The LIHEAP program assists residents with basic heating needs during the cold winter months, and it only makes sense to allow residents to apply once and be able to continue to automatically receive fuel assistance for as long as they meet the program’s federal and state eligibility requirements.”