Erie County Home Energy Assistance Program opens Friday – Spectrum News

Applications for Erie County’s Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, will be accepted beginning Friday, Oct. 1, one month earlier than usual, county officials said Wednesday.

This year, the Erie County Department of Social Services is encouraging applicants to apply online.

“We expect another busy HEAP season. 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 heaphotline@erie.gov to request an application, or by calling the HEAP Phone Center at 858-7644,” said Daniel Szewc, ECDSS assistant deputy commissioner. “We are scheduling community outreach events to assist Erie County residents with completing HEAP applications.”

HEAP is intended to assist low-income households in meeting home energy needs and decrease energy costs. Eligibility is based on income, household size and primary heating source.

Information on how to apply for benefits is available at http://www.erie.gov/heap/.

Original Source: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2021/09/29/erie-county-home-energy-assistance-program-opens-mondays