Budget Payment Plans
Budget payment plans allow customers more affordable payments by averaging higher winter bills with lower summer bills. This helps to spread the cost of winter heating over the entire year. To learn more and find out if you are eligible, please call our Customer Care Center at (800) 292-5012 or download the flyer from the left column of this page.

Installment Payment Plans for Overdue Balances
Customers may enter into an installment payment plan to pay overdue charges. Berkshire Gas will allow a minimum of four months for the customer to pay overdue balances. A down payment may be required. To learn if you are eligible for a payment plan and the specific details of the plan, please call (800) 292-5012.

Low-Income Discount Rate
Discounted non-heating and heating delivery charges are available to low-income residential customers that: Qualify for any means-tested public benefit program; OR Are eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or its successor program; AND the household's gross income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level.

Please call (800) 292-5012 for more information.

Financial Hardship
Financial Hardship is certified when residential customers meet the income eligibility guideline for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Please call (800) 292-5012 for more information.

Protection from Disconnection
Protection from disconnection of gas service due to non-payment is provided when:

All members of the household are sixty-five years of age or older. Gas service may be disconnected with the approval of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).

The customer cannot afford to pay the overdue utility bills because of financial hardship; AND The customer heats the home by natural gas. Protection from disconnection of service is only provided during the winter period of November 15 to March 15.

A member of the household has a physician-certified "serious" illness that would be aggravated by the lack of gas service.

A child under twelve months of age resides in the home.

Please call (800) 292-5012 for more information.

Berkshire Gas RAMP Program

The Berkshire Gas Company's "Residential Arrearage Management Program" (RAMP) provides financial assistance to eligible low-income customers with active accounts that have outstanding bills in arrears.

Under the RAMP program, eligible low-income customers may qualify for forgiveness of past due bills for natural gas service. Program participants receive credits to their past due account up to $3,000 once all program requirements have been met. (Some restrictions may apply.) For more information click here.

Other Financial Assistance Resources

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
A federally funded program to assist eligible low-income households pay a portion of home winter heating bills. LIHEAP is available to both homeowners and renters. Eligibility and payment amount determined by family size and gross annual household income.

Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP)
This grant program provides low-income, fuel assistance-eligible homeowners with assistance for:

• Heating system repair/replacement services
• Heating system cleanings
• Free energy, health and safety audit
• Free attic and/or side-wall insulation, air sealing, weather-stripping and other winterization energy repairs

LIHEAP and HEARTWAP available through:

Berkshire Community Action Council

Pittsfield (413) 445-5671
North Adams (413) 663-3014
Great Barrington (413) 528-1947

Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions

Franklin County (413) 774-2318 
Hampshire County (800) 370-0940

Good Neighbor Energy Fund
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides electric, gas, or oil heating assistance to Massachusetts residents with gross household income between 200% and 275% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. This program is funded by Massachusetts utilities and utility customers. There is a maximum $275 benefit per household.

The Good Neighbor Energy Fund is administered by the Salvation Army.

Amherst (413) 586-5243
Great Barrington (800) 262-1320
Pittsfield (413) 442-0624
North Adams (413) 663-7987
Greenfield (413) 773-3154

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program
RAFT is a state-funded program for families at risk of homelessness. The program may help to pay overdue heating bill balances, incurred on or after Decemebr 1, 2006, for eligible families. Eligibility requirements include:

• Homeless family lacking permanent residence or at risk of homelessness
• Family of two or more with dependent child under 21 or disabled adult
• Sufficient income to support future expenses
• Rent/mortgage payment cannot exceed 50% of income
• Meet 50% of median income guideline for household size
• Documentation and verification of address, income, financial hardship and utility arrearage

The RAFT Program is offered through Berkshire Housing Development Corp. and is available in Berkshire County and Franklin County. (413) 499-1630