More Rhode Islanders will qualify for winter heating assistance this year under higher income limits that took effect Sunday for a United Way of Rhode Island program.
The statewide nonprofit’s Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps households experiencing temporary financial hardship who earn too much to qualify for federal or state assistance.
For the 2026-27 heating season, the fund has raised its income limits by roughly $18,000 for most household sizes. A family of four can now earn up to $115,500 annually and still qualify, compared with $96,450 last year. For a family of six, the limit has increased from $129,450 to $147,450.
The United Way raised income thresholds to better reflect the cost of living for working families, drawing on the findings on its recent report,“ALICE in Rhode Island: A Study of Financial Hardship”…