As the winter months approach we would like to share with you a very important resource available to qualified seniors. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement a household’s annual energy cost. HEAP also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat or heat related energy emergency. Additionally, HEAP offers a heating equipment repair and/or replacement benefit for homeowners with inoperable heating equipment. HEAP may help you pay for Electricity, Propane, Natural Gas, Wood, Oil, Kerosene, Coal, or any other heating fuel.
Regular HEAP eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is either under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled. An eligible household may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year. Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household’s primary source of heat.
Applications for the 2013/14 Heap begin on November 18th and will remain open until the benefits available in this fund are exhausted.
A great tool to use to find out if you might qualify for HEAP, along with a variety of other services available to older New Yorkers is My Benefits at https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov/
You can apply directly for HEAP by calling your local Department of Social Services-
Nassau: 516-227-7605
Suffolk: 631-853-8820
For further information on the statewide HEAP program visit the following website http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ or download the HEAP brochure at http://otda.ny.gov/programs/publications/4735.pdf
You can also call the HEAP Hotline at NYS HEAP: 1-800-342-3009
