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Department of Senior Services

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For assistance call 858-8526 or email seniorinfo@erie.gov

Finance

Utility Information/HEAP

HEAP will close May 16, 2008.
All regular HEAP applications MUST be postmarked 5/16/08.
The HEAP season is expected to open again in early Fall, 2008.

In August, New York State directly mailed applications for the upcoming 2007-08 HEAP season to Seniors who received HEAP last season. However, Seniors in receipt of Temporary Assistance and/or Foods stamps were not mailed an application and need not apply by mail. As always, HEAP benefits for recipients of TA and/or FS are calculated automatically and will appear on their heating bill in December or January.

What Is The Home Energy Assistance Program? (HEAP)

HEAP is a federally funded fuel assistance program designed to help with rising energy costs. The Erie County Department of Senior Services is responsible for outreach and certification of the non-public assistance population of Erie County age 60+ and certain segments of the disabled population. The Erie County Department of Senior Services also serves as an alternate certifier for the Home Energy Assistance Program and conducts interviews for all segments of the population at various outreach sites throughout Erie County.

Who Is Eligible For The Home Energy Assistance Program?

Eligibility for participation is based upon gross family income and household size. Public 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. We will begin mailing applications in September. The HEAP season opens for face to face interviews in November.

Income Eligibility Guidelines
As of August 2007

Household SizeMonthly Maximum Income
1$1,876
2$2,454
3$3,031
4$3,609
5$4,186
6$4,763
7$4,871
8$4,980
9$5,088
10$5,196
11$5,626
11++ $435

What Type Of Benefit Am I Eligible For?

For the 2007-08 program year, there is only one regular benefit available per household per program year. The benefit ranges from $40 to $540.

How Do I Obtain An Application?

If you received benefits in the 2006-07 season, you should receive an application via mail by the first week of September. If you did not receive an application, if your address has changed, or if you did not receive HEAP last year, call 858-7870 to request an application.

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 less than 7 days (oil, propane, wood, etc.), in order to be considered for Emergency HEAP. The income guidelines stated above are for both Regular and Emergency assistance. The Regular HEAP benefit must first be utilized in order to ameliorate the emergency situation, and households must use all available liquid resources prior to the authorization of Emergency HEAP. Emergency benefits vary depending on heating type, income status and vulnerable member classification.

Emergency HEAP applications require a face to face interview. If you are unable to apply for yourself in person, call Senior Services at 858-8526, and a Case Manager will apply on your behalf.

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

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 (not only Payee)
478 Main Street
1st Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202

*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.