Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will open on Monday, November 2. HEAP provides crucial energy assistance benefits that elderly and low-income households rely upon to keep their homes warm in the winter, particularly in these difficult economic times.

“With winter approaching, we remain committed to helping our most vulnerable residents cope with the cost of heating their homes,” Governor Paterson said. “While energy prices have come down, more and more families are struggling in this economic downturn, and assistance offered through HEAP will help them get through the cold weather months.”

HEAP is a federally funded program administered through the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to aid eligible households in meeting their home energy needs.

This season, the maximum regular benefit a household can receive is $700. In addition, OTDA has increased eligibility levels to the maximum currently allowed under law. For example, a family of four with a household income of as much as $46,837 would be eligible for assistance this year, up from $45,312 last year.

Income eligible households in New York can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for an emergency benefit if they are in impending danger of running out of fuel or having their utility services shut off.

Applications were mailed to all households that received a HEAP benefit during the 2008-09 season, and such applications may be returned by mail without the need for the household to visit their local office. New applicants may apply at their local department of social services beginning on Monday, November 2.

New Yorkers can check to see if they may be eligible for HEAP, and a host of other benefits, by answering a few, simple questions quickly and anonymously online at www.myBenefits.ny.gov.

Last winter, New York issued more than 1.5 million HEAP benefits to low-income households, a record high.

(Eli Gefen – YWN)