Medford highlights winter assistance resources for residents
Medford is pointing residents to heating, health insurance, food and nutrition assistance programs for winter and will hold a Winter Preparedness event Nov. 19 at City Hall.
The City of Medford announced Oct. 26 a set of resources to help residents with heating costs, health insurance, food assistance and family nutrition as winter approaches.
The Home Energy Assistance Program, also called Fuel Assistance, offers eligible households discounts of more than 30 percent on gas and electric bills. Eligibility is based on a household's most recent four weeks of income. Applications for the 2026-2027 heating season are open now through April 30, 2027. New applicants can apply online, by phone at 781-322-6284, or in person at the ABCD Malden office at 2 Florence Street in Malden. Residents can also contact the city's Social Services Coordinator, Jason Stone, at jstone@medford-ma.gov.
Gov. Healey created the Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief Program for households that earn more than 60 percent but less than 100 percent of the state median income and may not qualify for Fuel Assistance. It offers a one-time benefit of up to $680, with applications expected to open in December 2026. Details are available on the state's program page.
Because state and federal changes taking effect in 2026 and 2027 may affect health insurance eligibility and subsidies, the city is encouraging residents to review their coverage. Health Care For All offers free assistance at 1-800-272-4232 or through its website.
More than 6,000 Medford residents may be eligible for SNAP but are not currently receiving it. Annual benefit and eligibility updates took effect Oct. 1, 2026, and work requirement changes take effect in 2027; a reset of the 36-month time limit on Jan. 1, 2027, may restore eligibility for some who previously lost benefits. Information is available through the Department of Transitional Assistance at 877-382-2363.
WIC provides nutrition support for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants and children under 5. Residents can apply online or call 1-800-WIC-1007.
The city will host a Winter Preparedness event Nov. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Medford City Hall, offering free winter clothing, energy bill checkups, help applying for heating, SNAP and MassHealth benefits, free food, and a flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Source: City of Medford announcement, October 26, 2026.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.
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