Income Eligible Programming

Equity and affordability are critical elements of the energy transition. A number of local programs and offers make this goal achievable. Residents whose annual incomes fall below 60% of the area median income may qualify for a number of increased benefits through Mass Save, as well as various assistance programs. When applied in combination with one another, the available offers for income eligible ratepayers on Martha’s Vineyard can help reduce electricity costs by up to 80%!

Click here to see if your income qualifies.

Mass Save Income Eligible Pathway

Income eligible renters or homeowners with an annual gross household income of 60% or less of the area median income may be eligible for No-Cost Home Energy Assessments through Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) which includes:

  • NO-COST insulation, air sealing, and potential for replacement of single-pane windows

  • Potential heating system conversion to heat pumps

  • Potential appliance upgrades

  • NO-COST high-efficiency lighting

You can find information on these offers and more on Vineyard Power’s Residential Buildings page or on the Income Qualified Programs page on the Cape Light Compact website.

Eversource Discount Rate

Through Eversource’s Massachusetts Discount Rate Program, income eligible customers can receive a 42% discount on their electric bills. For example, a $2,000 annual bill would be reduced to around $1,160. Eversource does not conduct its own income verification, rather they determine income eligibility based on whether the customer provides proof of participation in one of several means-tested programs. 

The application portal and additional information on the Eversource Discount Rate can be found here.

Cape Light Compact Power Supply

The Cape Light Compact provides a stable, competitively priced power supply option for electric ratepayers on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard. 

More details about the Cape Light Compact Power Supply are available here.

Vineyard Power Income Eligible Direct Subsidy Initiative

As a component of Vineyard Power’s Resiliency and Affordability Program (RAP), ratepayers on the Eversource Discount Rate and enrolled in the Cape Light Compact Power Supply automatically receive semi-annual subsidy checks to help cover the cost of electricity. On average, these checks amount to approximately 15% of a customer’s annual household electricity costs.

Click here to learn more about Vineyard Power’s historic Community Benefits Agreement involving offshore wind, and how our relationship with Cape Light Compact is making this program possible.

HEAP / Fuel Assistance

Vineyard Power assists eligible customers with the application process for South Shore Community Action Council’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), also known as fuel assistance. This program provides funds to qualifying ratepayers for the months of November through April to help alleviate the cost of home heating. Savings are based on individual income criteria.

More information on South Shore Community Action Council’s Home Energy Assistance Program is available here. 

Joe-4-Sun RAP

Joe-4-Sun Resiliency and Affordability Program (RAP) is a community shared solar program available to income eligible households in select communities in Massachusetts, including Martha’s Vineyard. By participating in the program, customers can receive up to $600 in bill credits per year to help pay for electricity. 

Qualified customers can sign up for Joe-4-Sun RAP today! Vineyard Power is here to assist you through the application process.

Still have questions?

Let us help you get started!

Book a no-cost Income Eligible energy coaching appointment on our Energy Coaching page, or reach out to the Vineyard Power office at 508-693-3002 to speak with a member of our team. Together, we can help make clean, efficient, resilient, and affordable energy a reality!