Applications for Home Energy Assistance Program (“HEAP”) regular benefits will be accepted beginning Monday, November 13, 2017 and Erie County’s Department of Social Services (“DSS”) anticipates receiving high numbers. The HEAP program is scheduled to run through March 15, 2018 but households are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later. To expedite the application process and to save residents from standing in long lines, HEAP applicants are encouraged to apply for benefits online rather than make a trip to the downtown HEAP office.

“With a heavy application day anticipated for Monday’s opening, we are urging residents with heat service currently on and without a shut off notice to file HEAP applications online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or by calling the HEAP Application Request Line at 858-1969. Additionally, HEAP outreach events are available for residents to sign up for this benefit at various locations in the community,” said Karen Rybicki, DSS Assistant Deputy Commissioner. A calendar detailing outreach events can be found on the Erie County Social Services website.

Regular HEAP is a benefit designed to decrease a household’s energy costs. Regular benefits are available both to households paying separately for heat and to households who make undesignated payments for heat in the form of rent. Eligible households whose primary heat is electricity or natural gas can receive a $350 regular benefit. Households using a different heating source or that have heating costs included as part of their rent may receive a larger or smaller amount. Last season, over 100,000 HEAP benefits were authorized to Erie County households.

Regular HEAP eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, primary heating source and the presence of a vulnerable household member who is under age 6, is age 60 or older, or is permanently disabled. An eligible household may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year. Households currently receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”) and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits may qualify for an automatic basic HEAP benefit and would not be required to file a separate application. Households may ascertain the status of an Auto Pay by calling the HEAP Hotline at 858-7644.

In order to qualify for a regular HEAP benefit, the members of the household must be citizens of the United States or qualified aliens with gross monthly income at or below the amount per household size listed below:

2017-2018 HEAP Benefit Gross Monthly Income Guidelines

Household Size: 1      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $2,318

Household Size: 2      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $3,031

Household Size: 3      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $3,744

Household Size: 4      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $4,457 

Household Size: 5      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $5,170

Household Size: 6      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $5,883

Household Size: 7      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $6,017

Household Size: 8      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $6,150

Household Size: 9      Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $6,284

Household Size: 10    Maximum Gross Monthly Income: $6,418

The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit component, available to help eligible low-income homeowners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the home’s primary heating source functional, opened on November 6, 2017. HEAP Emergency Benefits for households whose main source of heat is natural gas or electricity can be applied for beginning January 2, 2018.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Social Services, visit http://www.erie.gov/socialservices/