Massachusetts is preparing to change how participating electric and gas companies calculate discounts for income-eligible residential customers. Beginning November 1, 2026, the discount is scheduled to depend on household income, household size, utility company, and rate class.
The new structure has six income tiers. Households with the lowest incomes are assigned to Tier 1 and receive the largest percentage discount. Discounts become smaller as income rises through Tier 6.
Status as of October 1, 2026: The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) says the percentages published on its consumer-assistance page are still proposed. They are pending final approval through company-specific tariffs and could change before taking effect. Customers should therefore use the figures below for planning, not as a guarantee of the discount that will appear on a bill.
Who may qualify for a Massachusetts utility discount?
The program is for income-eligible residential electric and gas customers. According to the DPU, a household may qualify through participation in an eligible public-benefit program. Examples include HEAP or fuel assistance, SNAP, SSI, WIC, TAFDC, certain MassHealth coverage, public or subsidized housing, Head Start, school meal programs, qualifying veterans benefits, and ConnectorCare plan types 1 and 2.
The benefit-program list is not exhaustive. A customer may also seek enrollment through a local Community Action Agency. Contact the utility or local agency for an individual eligibility determination rather than assuming that receipt—or nonreceipt—of one particular benefit settles eligibility.
The six income bands are:
- Tier 1: Up to 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL)
- Tier 2: More than 100% and no more than 125% of FPL
- Tier 3: More than 125% and no more than 150% of FPL
- Tier 4: More than 150% and no more than 175% of FPL
- Tier 5: More than 175% and no more than 200% of FPL
- Tier 6: More than 200% of FPL and no more than 60% of statewide median income
Because dollar limits depend on household size and the applicable annual income standards, customers should not rely on a single statewide dollar figure. Ask the utility or Community Action Agency to place the household in the correct tier using current limits.
Proposed electric discount percentages
The DPU currently lists the following proposed percentages for November 1, 2026. A discount varies by both tier and rate class:
| Company and rate class | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 | Tier 5 | Tier 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource R-2 or R-2HP | 89% | 63% | 55% | 47% | 38% | 25% |
| Eversource R-4 electric heating | 92% | 74% | 68% | 62% | 56% | 40% |
| National Grid R-2 or R-2HP | 91% | 69% | 62% | 56% | 49% | 29% |
| Unitil RD-2 or HP-RES IE | 91% | 70% | 64% | 57% | 50% | 32% |
These percentages should not be confused with the separate seasonal heat-pump rate. Check the rate-class code on the bill and ask the electric company which program and tier apply.
Proposed gas discount percentages
| Company and rate class | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 | Tier 5 | Tier 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Gas R-2 non-heating | 90% | 67% | 59% | 52% | 45% | 24% |
| Berkshire Gas R-4 heating | 87% | 55% | 45% | 35% | 25% | 15% |
| Eversource EGMA R-2 non-heating | 91% | 71% | 64% | 58% | 51% | 33% |
| Eversource EGMA R-4 heating | 90% | 66% | 58% | 51% | 43% | 22% |
| Eversource NSTAR Gas R-2 non-heating | 94% | 79% | 75% | 70% | 65% | 52% |
| Eversource NSTAR Gas R-4 heating | 89% | 63% | 55% | 46% | 38% | 15% |
| National Grid Gas R-2 non-heating | 90% | 65% | 57% | 49% | 42% | 20% |
| National Grid Gas R-4 heating | 87% | 56% | 46% | 36% | 26% | 15% |
| Liberty R-2 non-heating | 93% | 75% | 70% | 64% | 59% | 43% |
| Liberty R-4 heating | 90% | 66% | 58% | 50% | 43% | 21% |
| Unitil R-2 non-heating | 95% | 83% | 79% | 75% | 71% | 60% |
| Unitil R-4 heating | 91% | 69% | 63% | 56% | 49% | 30% |
What existing discount customers need to do
The DPU says customers who already receive a utility discount do not need to submit a new application solely because of this change. Their utility is expected to move them automatically to the new discount structure.
Still, customers should review notices from their utility and confirm that household-income and household-size information is accurate. Those details determine the tier. Keep copies of benefit letters, recent income records, and utility correspondence in case the company requests verification or the assigned tier appears wrong.
Protections when a discount will decrease
Some existing customers would receive a smaller percentage under the proposed tiers. For electric customers, the transition rule applies when the new discount would be below 42% at Eversource, 32% at National Grid, or 40% at Unitil. Those customers keep their current discount through April 30, 2027. After that, the discount may decrease only once every six months, by no more than five percentage points at a time, until it reaches the new level.
For gas customers, the DPU describes a similar transition when the new discount would be below 25%. The customer keeps the 25% discount through April 30, 2027; later reductions may occur once every six months and cannot exceed five percentage points at each step.
Practical steps to take before November 1
- Identify the utility and rate class. Find both on the latest electric or gas bill. The company name alone is not enough to determine the percentage.
- Check current enrollment. Ask the utility whether the account is already on its income-eligible discount rate. Existing participants should be transitioned automatically.
- Apply if not enrolled. Contact Berkshire Gas, Eversource, Liberty, National Grid, or Unitil, as applicable. A local Community Action Agency can also help determine eligibility and enroll customers.
- Do not treat the proposed table as final. Verify the approved percentage after the DPU acts on the company tariff and check the first bill covering service on or after November 1, 2026.
- Question an incorrect tier. Contact the utility first. For unresolved billing or enrollment problems, call the DPU Consumer Division at 617-737-2836 or 877-886-5066.
The state table covers the listed investor-owned utilities and rate classes. A customer served by a municipal light plant should contact that local provider about its own assistance options instead of assuming these percentages apply.
Official sources
- Massachusetts DPU: Help paying your utility bill
- Massachusetts DPU Phase I Order on tiered discount rates
- Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program
Last Verified: October 1, 2026
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