Chilly nights have already settled into Buffalo and the surrounding areas and most families have put off turning on the heat because they don't have the money to pay high heating bills. Help is here in the form of HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), which begins taking applications on November 1st across New York State.
If your family received help from HEAP last year, you can reapply over the phone or online, you do not need to go to the Social Services offices.
For information and suggestions on how to lower your utilities bills, check out Heat Smart, NY.
HEAP (Home Engergy Assistance Program) Income guidelines (effective 10/1/10 through 9/30/11):
FAMILY SIZE GROSS MONTHLY INCOME
1 2,129
2 2,784
3 3,439
4 4,094
5 4,749
6 5,404
7 5,527
8 5,650
9 5,773
10 5,896
11 6,029
Each additional add $468 per person
Basic information about HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program):
Regular HEAP benefits are based on income, the primary fuel source and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled. A household may receive one Regular HEAP Benefit per program year paid directly to the vendor that supplies their main source of heat.
Emergency HEAP benefits are based on income, available resources, the number of household members and the primary fuel type. A household may be eligible to receive one emergency heating benefit for their main source of heat and one emergency heat related benefit for their electric if their electric is necessary to run their thermostat.
The Furnace Repair and Replacement Component of the Home Energy Assistance Program is available to help eligible low-income home owners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional.
Furnace benefits amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to replace or repair the applicants’ furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment necessary to keep the home's primary heating source operational.
To receive a benefit, an application must be made in person at the local department of social services and the applicant must receive a determination from the local department of social services that the applicant has met all established eligibility criteria, including established income and resource requirements. Benefits are paid directly to vendors after completion of all work for previously approved applications only.
Applications for furnace repairs or replacements are available at your local department of social services office
For more information contact your local Social Services office or call the HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-342-3009 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Contact HEAP to verify all information before applying for benefits.
Print the HEAP application fill it out, and take it with you to your appointment. You will need pages 1 through 4.
Items you will need to bring with your application to Social Services:
- A current fuel and/or utility bill or receipt which document a direct vendor relationship for energy based upon actual usage billing or a statement from your landlord that your heat and/or utilities are included in your rent
- Proof of income for all income earning persons in your household (including alimony and child support) for the previous 4 weeks
- Unemployment insurance benefits book
- Bank book, interest or dividend statements
- Copies of Social Security or pension checks or direct deposit statements
- Business statements for the previous 3 months if you are self employed
You will also need to bring one of the following for each person in your household
- Birth or marriage certificates
- School or baptismal records
- Social Security Cards
- Driver’s license
