HEAP - Home Energy Assistance Program

2013 - 2014

 

Federally funded program that assists eligible households with energy costs and energy conservation

 Click here for HEAP application instructions

HEAP Hotline: 858-7644
HEAP Office Hours 8:00am-4:00pm

Income Guidelines 2012 – 2013
Monthly Household Gross Income Can Not Exceed: 

 

Consumers in New York State have the opportunity
to purchase electricity and natural gas
from an energy service company (ESCO), instead of only from a utility. 
Please take a minute to conduct a short survey on Retail Energy Competition in New York State:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DDT3NH9

 

 Please scroll down for HEAP information:

 1.    Early access applications

2.    Regular HEAP

3.    Emergency HEAP

4.    How to apply for HEAP

5.    Documentation Requirements: Regular HEAP

6.    Documentation Requirements: Emergency HEAP

7.    Subsidized Rent & HEAP Eligibility

8.    Wage Calculation

9.    Countable Resources

Mailed to age 60+ and under age 60 disabled Households in September 2012. Households in receipt of Food stamps (SNAP) or TA will not get an early access application and may not need to apply for Regular benefit, which may be calculated and sent to heating supplier automatically.

 Regular HEAP: Assistance with main source of heat. Gas and Electric benefits appear as a credit on bill about 60 days after approval. Oil, propane, wood, coal, etc. benefits produce an immediate delivery of fuel totaling benefit amount.

  Must have a shut off notice or low fuel supply andexhausted Regular HEAP assistance.

HEAP Emergency Benefit Amounts

$400	Natural Gas Heat Only
$560	Electric Heat – PSC and municipal electric companies
$600	Deliverable Fuel (i.e. oil, propane, kerosene)
$500	Other Fuel (coal, wood, wood products)
$160	Heat Related Electric – PSC and municipal electric companies

 

4. How to Apply for HEAP

  1.      If Service is OFF, or household is OUT of heating fuel (heat or heat related electricity*)  

• A household member or authorized representative** must report to HEAPfor assistance
• 478 Main Street, Buffalo (8:00am-4:00pm)- All Households receiving Temporary Assistance or SNAP, and Heads of Household under 60 years of age, non Vulnerable
• 291 Pearl Street, Buffalo (8:00am-4:00pm)- Heads of Household 60 or older, or under 60 and Vulnerable (not receiving TA or FS)

 * Heat Related electricity is electric service needed to operate essential heating equipment (Furnace, thermostat, etc.)

 **An authorized representative may apply on behalf of individuals unable to appear. A dated and signed note from the applicant authorizing the individual to apply on their behalf is required.

2.      If Service is ON, but household has a current shut off notice or low supply (less than ¼ tank) of heating fuel (heat or heat-related electricity*)

• Household member/authorized representative** may call the HEAP Hotline at 858-7644
• A HEAP Hotline representative will examine the situation and direct the application process accordingly. Client may or may not need to report.

 

3.      If Service is ON, NO shut off notice and NO low fuel supply (heat or heat-related electricity*) 

• HH may call the Application Request Line at 858-1969or pick up an application at HEAP office
• HEAP will mail or provide an application packet and instructions at intake window.

 

5. Documentation Requirements: Regular HEAP

• If Household is receiving TA or Food Stamps (SNAP):

1. Regular HEAP: Many Active TA or SNAP households have Regular HEAP calculated and sent to heating supplier automatically (auto pay). No application for Regular HEAP is required for these HHs.
   1. If auto pay is not completed for a TA/SNAP HH:

                    i. Completion and submission of HEAP application following sections only is required with a current utility bill:

1. Section 1 (name of head of household, DOB, SS#)
2. Section 3 (heat and utility information)
3. Section 5 (signature)

• If Household is not receiving TA or Foodstamps (SNAP) & received HEAP assistance last season  

      A completed and signed HEAP application & the Following Documentation are Required:

1. Proof of GROSS EARNED Income (Wages) received with the last 30 days for all Household Members

• If paid weekly, last 4 paystubs
• If paid bi-weekly, last 2 paystubs
• Proof of UNEARNED Income NOT Required (Social Security, Pension, Unemployment, Workers Comp, Disability, etc.)If you moved or there are new members in your Household, you must document those changes.

 

• If Household is not receiving TA or FS & did not receive HEAP assistance last season

  A completed HEAP application and the following Documentation is required: 

1.  Proof of GROSS income received within the last 30 days for all household members

Wages: If paid weekly, last 4 paystubs

Wages: If paid bi-weekly, last 2 paystubs

Award letters- if Applicable (Social Security, Pension, Unemployment, Workers Comp, Disability, etc.)

Yearly statement of interest received (savings, checking, CDs, money market account, etc.)

Dividend proof (stocks, bonds securities, etc.)

2.  Social Security Numbers for all HH Members

3.  One (1) form of ID for all HH members (Birth Cert. OR SS Card OR Drivers License OR School ID, etc.)

4.  Proof of residency (Rent receipt, mortgage statement, utility bill)

5.  Current heat and/or electric bill.    

6. Documentation Requirements: Emergency HEAP

If Household received a Regular HEAP benefit this season:

1. Shut off notice or statement of low fuel supply from company
2. Proof of all HH liquid resources
3. 1 form of ID for any new HH members (that were not listed on Regular HEAP application)

If Household did not receive a Regular benefit this season:

1. For main source of heat, no Emergency benefit is available until Regular benefit is exhausted
2. Applicant may apply for Emergency for “heat related” electricity, and Regular benefit for main source of heat simultaneously, and must provide all requirements for Regular HEAP and electric shut off notice and HH liquid resources proof.

7. Subsidized Rent and HEAP Eligibility

If household receives Government Rental Assistance (Section 8, Belmont, etc.)
If Heat is included in rent	NOT eligible for HEAP assistance with heating costs
If Electric is included in rent	NOT eligible for HEAP assistance with electric costs
If Household pays directly for Heat	Eligible for Regular and Emergency HEAP towards heating bill (see above for benefit amounts) – “Heater’s Benefit”
If Household pays directly for “Heat Related Electric:**	Eligible for Emergency HEAP "heat related" electric benefits (see above)

**An authorized representative may apply on behalf of individuals unable to appear. A dated and signed note from the applicant authorizing the individual to apply on their behalf is required.

8.  Wage Calculation for all HEAP Applications Paid Weekly – ((4 x Weekly gross)/4) x 4.3333  Paid Bi-Weekly – ((2 x bi-weekly gross)/2) x 2.1666  Paid Bi-Monthly – (add 2 gross pay amounts- no other calculation)

9. Countable Liquid Resources

o Cash

o Checking and/or savings account balances

o Stocks/bonds

o Time deposit certificates

o IRA accounts, including remaining amounts from a closed out IRA

o Lump sums from sale of property or insurance settlements and balances from any other lump sum not specifically excluded

o 401(K) and other retirement accounts

o Income tax refunds (except EITC payments)

o Any other available funds not specifically excluded

Excluded Resources--The following are not counted as resources for HEAP:

o Amounts designated for an allowable current monthly living expense such as food, shelter, employment-related expenses, etc.

o Money earmarked for payment of the current year‘s property and/or school taxes for the primary residence

o One burial plot per household member

o One written pre-arranged burial agreement with a cash value not exceeding $1,500 per household member and interest on the burial account

o Accounts, such as PASS accounts, designated by the Social Security Administration as exempt from SSI resource limits

o Real and personal property

o Equipment

o Automobiles and other vehicles

o Payments from reverse annuity mortgages

o Loans (including college loans, personal loans, home equity loans )

o Credit cards or advances from credit cards

o Individual Development Accounts (IDA)

o Although a household is not required to obtain a non-utility fuel delivery on a credit basis, those households who have sufficient resources to pay for the delivery may be required to obtain the delivery and make payment when the resources can be accessed.