Nov. 16, 2005


SPANO ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO HELP WITH HOME HEATING COSTS
CHEAP would offer $100 grants to offset the cost of home heating this winter

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY FOR CHEAP

INFORMATION ON HEAP (HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)

Worried about home heating costs this winter? Westchester County is offering to help.

With heating bills expected to be 30 to 50 percent higher than last year, County Executive Andy Spano and the Board of Legislators are putting the county’s share of sales tax on home heating fuel to good use by offering cash assistance to families in need.

The County Home Energy Assistance Program (CHEAP), which runs from Dec. 1 through March 31, is offering a one-time payment of $100 to qualified households. Spano said consumers should get back some of the sales tax windfall due to the spike in oil and natural gas prices. To help, the county has created a fund with $2.6 million (the amount of the increase the county expects to collect in home heating sales tax) that will provide subsidies to residents who meet income guidelines.

Spano had originally proposed eliminating the sales tax on home heating fuel in Westchester so everyone would benefit, but that would have required the approval of all the communities in the county who share in the sales tax receipts.

“I would have liked to eliminate the sales tax on home heating fuel altogether but that did not happen,” Spano said. “As an alternative, we developed this program that targets those most in need.’’

County Legislator Marty Rogowsky, chair of the energy committee, said he had approached the County Executive several months ago about doing something to alleviate the burden on those with low or fixed incomes.

“I applaud the County Executive’s approach in dealing with higher energy costs,’’ said Rogowsky. “I think it is important that we act to provide some relief as our lower income residents face a winter of great uncertainty with regard to energy costs.’’

The program, administered by the Department of Social Services, supplements the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) which uses federal funds to help eligible low-income, elderly and disabled persons. The income guidelines for CHEAP are higher than HEAP so additional families will be able to get assistance. For example, to qualify for CHEAP, a family of two can make up to 35,000 a year; a family of four, $53,000. Residents who qualify for HEAP and receive subsidies cannot receive money from CHEAP as well.

Interested households must file an application (available in English and soon in Spanish) with DSS along with documentation that includes proof of residence, documentation for all members of the household, utility bills and proof of income. Those determined to be eligible will receive an unrestricted $100 check in the mail. For an application or information on eligibility, call the Department of Social Services hotline at 995-6759 weekedays between 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. or go to www.westchestergov.com for an on-line application.