ROCHESTER, N.Y. — If you think you might need some help keeping up with your heating bills this winter, now is the time to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
“Usually in Monroe County we have between 60-65,000 HEAP benefits that we issue per season so, the demand is there,” says Deborah Hill, Financial Assistance Coordinator at Monroe County Department of Human Services. And now, finally the money is too. The sign-up period was initially delayed due to the federal shutdown.
“There were a lot of questions regarding whether there would even be HEAP so, now that the word is out, that yes on December 1st HEAP began…both the phone calls and the walk-ins have increased,” Hill says.
If you’re on temporary assistance or if you’ve been receiving SNAP benefits since mid-November, you’re automatically enrolled in HEAP and a $400 payment will go directly to your energy supplier.
If you’re not, you still might qualify depending on your income. A family of 4, for example, making less than $6,500 a month would be able to get a HEAP benefit. So, if you’re unsure, it doesn’t hurt to apply.
Older adults and people on SSI may get a little more than the standard $400 payment.
You can apply right now for the regular HEAP benefit. The award does not impact other payment arrangements you make with your energy supplier.
Staring January 2nd, you can apply for an additional “emergency” HEAP benefit but you will have to prove that you’re actually facing an emergency paying your utility bill. “Emergency HEAP is a little different, it’s resource-tested, meaning we have to look at the other resources that people have, like their bank accounts (when submitting an application),” Hill explains.
New York typically receives around $400 million from the federal government to fund HEAP payments across the state. Last year, 1.5 million people were helped.
For more information or to apply for HEAP or Emergency HEAP: Click here
For those who live in Monroe County and would like more information on HEAP: Click here
‘The demand is there’: Monroe County expects record number of HEAP applications this winter WHEC.com.
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