The Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as HEAP, can provide up to $976 this winter to low and middle income households and senior citizens to help defray high energy costs.

The program, overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, is federally funded.
Eligible households can receive one regular benefit per season and could also be eligible for an emergency benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off.

Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted beginning January 3, 2023.

Eligible homeowners and renters may receive up to $976 in heating assistance, depending on their income, household size, how they heat their home, and if the household contains a vulnerable member.

A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,485, or an annual gross income of $65,829, and still qualify for benefits.

The value of the Regular HEAP benefits has been increased due the higher heating costs forecast for this winter. The benefit was increased 33 percent for households that heat with oil, kerosene, or propane; 21 percent for households that heat with wood, wood pellets, coal, or corn; and 14 percent for households that heat with electricity or natural gas.

Applications for assistance are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone, with funding provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Residents outside New York City can also apply online this year for regular heating assistance benefits by visiting https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/

New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said, “Unattended, improperly vented or malfunctioning space heaters pose a major fire risk. ”

He said those who use a fireplace, wood stove, or portable kerosene heater to stay warm must be sure there is adequate ventilation to the outside. Without enough fresh air, carbon monoxide fumes can build up in your home.

Never use a natural gas or propane stove/oven to heat your home.

Follow all safety precautions when using wood stoves, space heaters, electric heaters, kerosene heaters, and pellet stoves.

Olsen said now is a good time to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms – and to do so at least monthly. Batteries should be replaced at least once a year, and people should replace alarms that are ten years or older.

Olsen also highlighted emergency assistance and other resources that are available to help ensure the safety of older adults – and all New Yorkers – during the winter months.

Individuals facing a home-heating emergency may be eligible for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes. The emergency benefit opened on January 3 and is available for low-income older adults and other New Yorkers whose home heating is either shut off or scheduled to be shut off, as well as for individuals who are running out of home heating fuel or other deliverable heat sources.

Olsen added that neglect, including self-neglect, is the most prevalent form of elder abuse. It can include being deprived of enough food, water or heat. He said, “For individuals with a chronic illness or living in an unsafe environment, the consequences can be catastrophic during cold weather,”

If you are concerned about an older adult’s living situation during the winter months and are unable to assist, you can call Adult Protective Services at 1-844-697-3505.

In Chautauqua County, people concerned about the safety of an older adult at home can also contact the County Office for the Aging at 716-753-4471.

National Fuel said in a release that the prices have risen significantly following years of historic lows.

They said customers also may see an increase in gas usage this winter season as initial weather reports indicate a return-to-normal cold and snowy winter.

Across National Fuel’s Western New York service territory, approximately 90% of residents rely on natural gas to heat their homes and fuel their businesses. The estimated average residential customer’s winter heating bill for November through March will total $714.

The typical customer paid $498 last winter season when temperatures were approximately 10% warmer than normal.

National Fuel reminded customers that financial assistance is now available including the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP.

National Fuel also offers budget plan billing which allows winter payments to be spread out over the whole year, providing stable monthly bills.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the application process for $373 million in Heating Energy Assistance Program monies is now open in New York State.

The funds are for low- and middle-income New Yorkers who need assistance keeping their homes warm during the upcoming winter season.

The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance oversees the HEAP program and provides federal funding to assist homeowners and renters with their heating costs during the weather.

Eligible homeowners and renters may receive up to $751 in heating assistance, depending on their income, household size and how they heat their home.

Governor Hochul also made $150 million in federal funding available to help low-income households pay heating utility arrears if they do not qualify for the that assistance under New York’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The one-time payments will cover all accumulated heating utility arrears up to $10,000 per household, with applications for assistance accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone.

Jamestown Board of Public Utilities Customer and Information Services Manager Frank Galeazzo said after the state of emergency ended in June, the BPU gained the ability to shut off water and electric for past due balances. He said they’ve had success with that, “We had shut off approximately 1,000 customers since July, mid-July, and that totaled about $700,000 worth of past due balances. And we’ve collected about $500,000.”

Galeazzo said the BPU is still working to help customers with past due accounts, “They’ve either paid off their arrears, which is great. We’ve been working with them setting up special payment arrangements. We’ve been pointing them in directions to seek assistance whether it’s through any of the state of federal programs.”

Those looking for assistance with past due BPU bills may contact the BPU at (716) 661-1660, visit them online at jamestownbpu.com, or visit mybenefits.ny.gov.

$150 million in heating utility assistance has been announced by New York State.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the funding will help low-income households that have fallen behind on their utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the regular arrears supplement is available to households who are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and behind on their heating utility bills, but that do not qualify for the utility assistance offered by New York’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Federal funding will cover all accumulated heating utility arrears up to $10,000 and comes as the end of the moratorium on utility disconnections approaches in late December.

About 83,000 HEAP recipients had fallen behind on their utility bills as of March 2021, with these households owing an average arrears of about $1,370, or roughly $113 million statewide. While the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is providing utility arrears assistance for eligible renters, homeowners and those who do not owe rent arrears do not qualify for this assistance, including customers of municipally owned utilities.

The Chautauqua County Department of Social Services is accepting applications for assistance and can be reached at (716) 753-4385.

From a budgetary standpoint, Galeazzo said the BPU is waiting to see what happens at the state and federal level, “We still have to continue to pay our bills. We still have to continue to pay our bills to New York State. So even though we’re not getting that cash flow, that has not exempted us from paying the bills we are required to pay.”

He said there is help for utility customers through the HEAP program, “HEAP is mainly for their electric charges. It does not cover the water, wastewater and garbage charges, but it does cover the electric charges for the HEAP program. And you can go to New York State website and google ‘HEAP’ and people can apply for those HEAP funds today.”

Galeazzo added additional ways customers can get help with their utility bill includes payment arrangements with the BPU, help from the Johnson BPU Good Neighbor Fund, and as well as assistance through the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services.

Households in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off will be able to apply for a second emergency benefit through the federal Home Energy Assistance Program beginning February 12.

More information, including how to apply, can be found at NYSERDA.NY.gov/All-Programs/Programs/EmPower-New-York.

The Home Energy Assistance Program is making $327 million in federal funding available to eligible older New Yorkers and low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to help cover heating costs.

“As cold winter nights begin to set in, this funding will ensure New Yorkers receive the assistance they need to heat their homes and keep their families safe,” Governor Cuomo said. “By securing this federal funding, residents across the state will no longer be forced to choose between buying food for their loved ones or paying their heating bill. I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to apply for this assistance in order to stay warm this winter season.”

Households that are eligible can receive assistance of up to $726, depending on income, household size, and how the home is heated. A family of four can earn up to $53,482 per year and still qualify for help.

The program is overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Applications are accepted at local departments of social services, which can be found by county here.

Anyone living outside of New York City can apply for a regular Home Energy Assistance benefit online at myBenefits.ny.gov, and New York City residents are encouraged to download the application and mail it in.

Additionally, households may qualify for an emergency benefit if they are at risk of getting their heat shut off or running out of fuel. Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted beginning Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Anyone in need of emergency assistance should contact their local department of social services.

Last year, nearly 1.5 million households received assistance through HEAP.  In Western New York, the total number of households was 134,585.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is designed to help eligible low-income households with their heating or heat-related energy costs.  The Regular HEAP program will open on Monday, November 14, 2016.  Regular HEAP heating benefits range from $350 to $575 depending upon household income and type of heating and heat included benefits range from $21 to $35.

Applications can be submitted online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov.  This is the quickest and most efficient method for submitting your application.  There is no need to come into the office as an interview will be conducted over the phone and documents can be submitted electronically or mailed in.

Applications can also be mailed to the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services, 7 North Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757 or can be submitted in person at the South County Office Building, 110 East Fourth St., Jamestown, NY or 319 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY.

For questions or to request that an application be mailed to you, you can call (716) 753-4385.

The Home Energy Assistance Program is funded by the federal government and is overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Eligible households can receive a one-time benefit of up to $625 this winter depending upon income, household size and heating source. For the upcoming season, a household of four can earn up to $51,792, or $4,316 a month, and still qualify for assistance.

Last winter, 1.48 million households received benefits through the program. Including 143,000 in Western New York.

To apply for Home Energy Assistance benefits online, visit myBenefits.ny.gov or call 1-800-342-3009.