It
seems that this winter season will be a true Western New York winter, complete
with snow, winds, and bitterly cold temperatures. If you are struggling to stay
up to date with your heating bills and you are worried there is a chance that
you will be shut off, I encourage you to learn more about HEAP – Home
Energy Assistance Program.
From the HEAP website, “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.”
From the HEAP website, “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.”
- You and your household members are United States Citizens or qualified aliens and
- Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
- You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamp) benefits or
- You receive Temporary Assistance or
- You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)”
The application link can be found here. Erie County HEAP is not
one of the counties that accepts online applications, so you will need to print
an application out and fill it out. Emergency benefits applications began being
accepted on January 2, 2013, while regular applications began being accepted
November 19, 2012. After you fill out the application, you need to submit it to
the county HEAP Certifier. The HEAP Certifier information is listed below.
Local District:
Erie County Department
of Social Services
478
Main Street
Buffalo,
NY 14202
(716)
858-7644
County Office for the
Aging
(those
60 years of age and older can apply here)
(716) 858-7644
Other Certifiers:
Department of Senior
Services
(716)
858-6955
After Hours Emergency
Contact:
Sheriff’s
Department
911
The HEAP eligibility requirements
are as follows:
|
Household Size
|
Gross Monthly Income Limit (at or below)
|
|
1
|
$2,138
|
|
2
|
$2,796
|
|
3
|
$3,453
|
|
4
|
$4,111
|
|
5
|
$4,769
|
|
6
|
$5,427
|
|
7
|
$5,550
|
|
8
|
$5,673
|
|
9
|
$5,797
|
|
10
|
$5,920
|
|
11+
|
Add $495
|
