Erie County Home Energy Assistance program opens Monday – Niagara Frontier Publications

Fri, Oct 30th 2020 04:30 pm

Department of Social Services encourages residents to apply online; first day for applications is Nov. 2

Applications for Home Energy Assistance Program (“HEAP”) regular benefits will be accepted beginning Monday, Nov. 2. This year, in light of the virus-related risks related to public gatherings, the Erie County Department of Social Services is strongly encouraging applicants to apply online or to utilize other remote channels to apply. As in previous years, interested applicants are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later.

“No family or individual should be forced to live in an unheated home during the winter months, and HEAP assistance is available to prevent that hardship,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said. “There are many ways to apply, and now is the time to do it; so I encourage all residents who need the assistance to register as soon as possible.”

“HEAP opening day is always busy. In light of COVID-19-related safety concerns, we are urging residents with heat service currently on and without a shut off notice to file HEAP applications online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov , by emailing [email protected] to request an application, or by calling the HEAP phone center at 716-858-7644,” said Karen Rybicki, DSS first deputy commissioner. “As in previous years, outreach events have been scheduled to assist Erie County residents with completing HEAP applications.”

A calendar detailing 2020-21 outreach events can be found on the Erie County Social Services website. In a change from prior years, outreach events will be held virtually to reduce the risk of virus transmission. To schedule an outreach event for a group or organization, email [email protected].

HEAP is a federally funded energy program, intended to assist low-income households in meeting home energy needs and decreasing energy costs. Regular benefits are available to households paying separately for heat, and to households whose heat is included in their rental amount. Last season, more than 106,000 HEAP benefits were authorized to Erie County households.

Regular HEAP eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, primary heating source and the presence of a vulnerable household member who is under age 6, is age 60 or older, or is permanently disabled. An eligible household may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year. HEAP benefit amounts range from $21 to $741. Households currently receiving Temporary Assistance and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may qualify for an automatic basic HEAP benefit and may not be required to file a separate application. Households may ascertain whether an application is required by calling the HEAP hotline at 716-858-7644.

In order to qualify for a regular HEAP benefit, the members of the household must be citizens of the U.S. or qualified aliens with gross monthly income at or below the amount per household size listed in the table below:

2020-21 HEAP Benefit Gross Monthly Income Guidelines

Household Size/Maximum Gross Monthly Income

•  1: $2,610
•  2: $3,413
•  3: $4,216
•  4: $5,019
•  5: $5,822
•  6: $6,625
•  7: $6,775
•  8: $6,926

The heating equipment repair and replacement benefit component, available to help eligible low-income homeowners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the home’s primary heating source functional, opened Oct. 1. Applications for HEAP emergency benefits for households who have received a disconnect notice will be accepted beginning Jan. 4, 2021.

For more information on the Erie County Department of Social Services, visit http://www.erie.gov/socialservices/; or the Erie County Department of Social Services Home Energy Assistance Program, visit http://www.erie.gov/heap/; or for information on how to apply for HEAP benefits.

Original Source: https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/2020/10/30/143957/erie-county-home-energy-assistance-program-opens-monday