Erie County Senior Services: Utility Information/HEAP

Department of Senior Services

Programs & Services

Finance

Utility Information/HEAP

Friday, May 15, 2009 has been designated as the closing date for both the Regular and Emergency benefit components of the 2008-2009 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). We will continue to accept applications and conduct interviews for HEAP benefits through close of business on Friday, May 15, 2009.

Mail-in applications for Regular HEAP postmarked on or before May 15, 2009 will be accepted and processed.

For more detailed explanation of the program and eligibility criteria, go to http://www.erie.gov/depts/socialservices/heap_generalinfo.asp

HEAP Outreach Schedule - 2009

What Is The Home Energy Assistance Program? (HEAP)

HEAP is a federally funded program designed to help applicants with the costs of heating their homes. HEAP assistance is in the form of a benefit payment that is usually credited directly to the heating bill. Most Regular benefits range from $260 to $585. Regular HEAP is a one-time benefit payment, but additional Emergency HEAP benefit assistance is also available.

DID YOU KNOW???

The HEAP application is a simple 3 page document that senior citizens may mail in
There is no resource test for regular HEAP assistance; we will not question resources or assets whatsoever including savings, checking, stocks, bonds, IRAs, etc.
Approx. 20,000 senior citizens in Erie County receive HEAP assistance every year, 70,000 households overall county wide.
HEAP is not "hand out" for low income people who can not pay bills. Thousands of hard working individuals and families with moderate to good incomes struggle with energy costs and are eligible for HEAP.
HEAP is a part of national energy policy designed years ago to help even hard working individuals and families meet the costs of energy, the government has in many ways been unable to control.
Seniors worked hard and paid taxes all their years to fund a program like HEAP and there is no shame in seeking a return on their investment. HEAP is funded year after year and generally supported by both parties at all levels of government.

Who Is Eligible For The Home Energy Assistance Program?

Eligibility for participation is based upon gross household income and household size. Temporary Assistance and Food Stamp recipients automatically receive Regular HEAP.

Senior Citizens and disabled applicants may apply by mail as soon as they receive an application. The HEAP season opens for face to face interviews on November 3, 2008.

Income Eligibility Guidelines
2008-2009 HEAP

Household Size	Monthly Maximum Income
1	$1963
2	$2567
3	$3172
4	$3776
5	$4380
6	$4984
7	$5097
8	$5210

What Type Of Benefit Am I Eligible For?

For the 2008-09 program year, there is one regular benefit available per household. There are also emergency benefits available for eligible households, please see below

How Do I Obtain An Application?

Please call 858-7870 to request an application. You may also pick up an application at the district offices of Erie County Legislators.

What If I Need Additional Help?

There is a second component to the Home Energy Assistance Program called Emergency HEAP. Households must have a current shut-off or disconnect notice on their gas or electric bill, or have a heating fuel supply of a quarter tank or less (oil, propane, etc.), in order to be considered for Emergency HEAP. The income guidelines stated above are for both Regular and Emergency assistance. Emergency HEAP applications may require a face to face interview, but certain applicants may be able to apply for HEAP benefits over the phone. For the most current information on the Emergency application process call the HEAP hotline at 858-7870.

If you are unable to apply for yourself in person, you may send a friend or relative to HEAP on your behalf with a signed note from you allowing that individual to represent you at HEAP. If you have no one to help and you and you need to go to HEAP in person please call Senior Services at 858-8526, and a Case Manager will apply on your behalf.

The Senior Services HEAP office is located in the old Hens and Kelly building downtown:

Heads of Household 60 or older, or under 60 and disabled:

291 Pearl Street
1st Floor (entrance on corner of building)
Buffalo NY 14202

Heads of Household Under 60, Non Disabled
and Heads of Household in Receipt of Temporary Assistance or Food Stamps (but not only as a Payee):

478 Main Street
1st Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202

HEAP Outreach locations are also available throughout the County in November-February.

Furnace Equipment Repair/Replacement assistance is available at the HEAP office year round. Clients must appear with proof of home ownership, two contractor bids addressing work that needs to be done, full proof of all resources for all members of HH, ID for all members of HH, proof of monthly income for all members of HH.

*Handicap access is the Main Street entrance to the building, 478 Main Street. Inquire at the guard desk, and a Senior Services worker will be called to assist you.

For additional information, please contact the HEAP hotline at (716) 858-7870, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Other Assistance Programs may be available to help with utility costs - call the Department of Senior Services at 858-8526.

For more information, call (716) 858-8526.

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