Nov. 1, 2011 -- Beginning Nov. 16, the Westchester County Department of Social Services will begin accepting applications from income-eligible people in need of some help paying heating bills, County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced today.
The funds are available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federally funded program. The maximum regular benefit an eligible household can receive is $500 for homes that heat with oil, kerosene or propane, and $300 for all others. A family of four can have a household income of up to $49,519 annually and still qualify for a HEAP benefit.
Full details as well as a chart of eligibility can be found here.
"Last winter, more than 28,000 households in Westchester County received some assistance through the HEAP program," Astorino said. "I urge low-income families to look into whether they qualify, so they can get this help with paying their energy bills."
To find out more about eligibility, call United Way's 2-1-1 or the Department of Social Services HEAP unit at 995-5619. You may also check your eligibility by going to www.myBenefits.ny.gov. Applications can be downloaded from the county's Web site at www.westchestergov.com/heap.
Anyone who received a HEAP benefit last season must submit the HEAP application received in the mail to re-qualify. Anyone who received ongoing Temporary Assistance or Food Stamps as of Sept. 10, 2011 is automatically eligible and does not have to file an application. Cases opened after that date must complete a form obtained from the local Social Services district office or by calling (914) 995-5619.
HEAP also offers benefits for households that have heat-related emergencies but don't have the resources needed to resolve them. Assistance is also available to repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional. Applications for this emergency assistance will be accepted beginning Jan. 3, 2012.