MASSACHUSETTS - When Dianne Schiavone noticed her oil tank at home was half full, she called to see what it would take to fill it. At more than $6 a gallon, her out-of-pocket cost would have exceeded $700...

"Being that I'm working, I can always work more, I can do more, I can save more," Schiavone said. "But I felt this immediate need for our families because they're on fixed incomes."

Climbing oil prices have been a concern of hers for years as she leads the Worcester Community Action Council's Home Energy Assistance Program.

She says year over year, the demand for fuel assistance has climbed significantly. Last year, the WCAC helped more than 16,000 families, and they expect the number to jump once again.

"Our benefits levels are going to be about the same as they were last year, which does mean there is going to be lower benefits," said Schiavone. "The need is going to be huge."

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declaring a state of emergency Monday, announcing measures the state is taking to provide relief to households this winter. Among them are expanded eligibility to home heating assistance and the elimination of the SMART program charge on residential electric bills for three months.

"This is going to help about 50,000 families that did not previously qualify for heating assistance," said Healey. "So, they were above the low-income eligibility. I thought it was important to increase eligibility to a broader number of households because everybody is getting hurt."

Healey also announcing the creation of a new emergency winter warmth fund in partnership with Citizens Energy Corporation in an effort to provide more help to struggling families.

"We sometimes talk about energy as a commodity. Something measured in kilowatt hours, gallons, dollars on a monthly bill," said Citizens Energy President Joe Kennedy III. "But energy is what it takes to make a home livable, a business possible."

Monday's announcement coming just weeks after Healey also temporarily suspended the 24 cent per gallon gas tax for Massachusetts residents.

Spectrum News reached out to the campaign of Healey's opponent in the November election, republican Mike Minogue, but did not hear back.

Meanwhile, Schiavone is urging residents to reach out for help sooner rather than later.

"When we think that this could potentially climb to be $7 or $8 per gallon, I myself am going to have a hard time heating my home," she said.

Spectrum News also hearing from National Grid in the aftermath of the Governor's announcement. They go on to say in a statement:

“National Grid supports meaningful, sustainable solutions that address energy affordability while ensuring the Commonwealth maintains a safe and reliable energy system. We support the Governor’s all-of-the-above approach to meeting Massachusetts’ energy needs and will continue working with the Administration, Legislature, and regulators on practical measures to improve affordability while preserving the investments needed to serve customers and strengthen the energy network.”