The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) begins November 16, 2011

The low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will begin on November 16, 2011.  HEAP is a federally funded energy program that assists eligible households in meeting their heat-related energy costs.

HEAP issues heating benefits to supplement a household's annual energy cost and also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat related energy emergency.  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. 

Applications will be available on or after 11/16/11 at the Samaritan Center, 380 S. Main St., Elmira for anyone who is not on Temporary Assistance, Food Stamps or age 60 or older.

Anyone age 60 or older can access an application at the Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care at 425 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira.  Applications are also available at the Chemung County Department of Social Services (DSS), 425 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira, or you may access a HEAP application online and view income guidelines by visiting:  www.mybenefits.ny.gov
Households in receipt of Temporary Assistance or Food Stamps will automatically receive a HEAP benefit if they are in an eligible living situation.
Households that received a HEAP benefit in Chemung County through the application process last year may mail, fax or bring the application that was mailed to them, along with proof of income, a copy of the current utility bill, and verification of any other household changes to the Samaritan Center or to the Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care if the applicant is age 60 or older.

Households that did not receive a HEAP benefit in Chemung County in the previous HEAP season can submit an application on or after November 16, 2011. Applications should include proof of income, residency, identity and Social Security number for each household member, and a copy of the current utility bill.  Applications may be mailed, faxed or dropped off to:

• The Samaritan Center -   Mondays through Fridays from 9am - 3:30pm.  In addition, the Samaritan Center will also accept applications on Tuesday evenings until 6 pm. (734-4898 ext. 215).  Fax: 734-1213.
• The Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care at 737-5520 if they are 60 years of age or older.  Fax: 737-5521.                          
  NOTE:  An in person or phone interview is required for all new applicants.
  HEAP benefits are sent directly to the utility company or fuel vendor.
  Applications for emergency benefits will begin being accepted on January 3, 2012.  Emergency HEAP benefits may be available to persons who are eligible for HEAP and have an energy-related emergency such as:
• Your electricity is necessary for your heating system to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off, or
• Your natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off, or
• If you are out of or in danger of running out of fuel (oil, propane, wood, or coal) or
• If your essential applicant owned heating equipment is inoperable
  Households with a non-utility heat related emergency (e.g. no oil, propane or wood), during non-business hours, should call 795-5766 for assistance.

In addition, HEAP offers a furnace repair and/or replacement benefit for households with inoperable heating equipment.  The Furnace Repair and Replacement component of the HEAP program is available to help low-income home owners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional. The Furnace Repair and Replacement Component will be administered by the Samaritan Center. Applications are available at that site or at the Chemung County Department of Social Services, 425 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira, NY.

For information regarding the Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Samaritan Center at 734-4898 ext 215 or go on-line at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap.  Anyone can check if they may be eligible for HEAP, and an array of other programs, by answering a few, simple questions online at myBenefits.ny.gov.