WORCESTER, Mass. - With energy bills expected to rise soon, National Grid is urging customers to take advantage of assistance programs to help them get through the winter.

National Grid launched a new customer savings initiative last month to help people manage bills and ease the burden on low-income families. The company's budget plan allows customers to spread payments evenly throughout the year and avoid the winter spike in heating costs. There's also a home energy assistance program, which makes use of federally funded grants to cut costs for those who qualify.

Meanwhile, The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is open to people who run into temporary financial troubles and can't pay their monthly bill.

"That's to help customers who aren't eligible for any federal or state assistance, they might just be over income by a slight couple of dollars," said Damaris Dominguez, manager of customer advocacy for National Grid. "We know they also are in need, and the grant for the Good Neighbor Energy Fund is $500."

The Biden administration is also aiming to bring some relief for families, with $9 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act going toward helping people upgrade their homes to become more energy efficient. $4.5 billion will also be going toward the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.