Erie County Legislator John J. Mills announces that several additional Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Outreaches have been scheduled in his district. Interviews will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Doors open at 8:30am.  All applicants will be interviewed. 

The following outreaches have been scheduled:

• Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Eden Town Hall, 2795 East Church St., Eden, NY 14057
• Thursday, Jan. 31 at Sardinia Town Hall, 12320 Savage Road, Sardinia, NY 14134
• Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at Orchard Park Municipal Building, 4295 S. Buffalo St., Orchard Park, NY 14127
• Thursday, Feb. 14 at Boston Town Hall, 8500 Boston State Road, Boston, NY 14025.
• Thursday, Feb. 21 at Brant Town Hall, 1272 Brant-North Collins Road, Brant, NY 14081. 

HEAP is a federally funded program to assist income eligible Erie County residents with the costs of home heating, electricity, and energy conservation. The HEAP outreach will be administered by the Erie County Departments of Social Services and Senior Services and is open to all income eligible households.

“HEAP outreaches provide eligible recipients with individual attention to help with the process. Anyone who has questions is encouraged to attend to ensure they meet the requirements for receiving HEAP benefits,” said Legislator Mills.

Applicants must bring the following documentation to the outreach:

1)     Proof of gross income received within the last 30 days for all household members

          a)  Wages: If paid weekly, last four (4) paystubs

          b)  Wages: If paid bi-weekly, last two (2) paystubs

          c)   Award letters, if applicable (Social Security, Pension, Unemployment, Workers Comp, Disability, etc.)

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

          e) Dividend proof (stocks, bonds securities, etc.)

2) Social Security numbers for all household members

3) One (1) form of ID for all household members (birth certificate or Social Security card or driver’s license or school ID, etc.)

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

5) Current heat and/or electric bill.    

For questions or additional information, please call the HEAP Hotline at (716) 858-7644 or HEAP Application Request Line at (716) 858-1969.

The HEAP 2012-2013 income guidelines are as follows: 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as HEAP benefits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible households can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season, but may also be eligible for an emergency HEAP benefit if they are in danger of running out of fuel or having their utility service shut off. Applications for emergency HEAP benefits are currently being accepted.

“Food For All,” a program of the Network of Religious Communities, will be at the Eden, Sardinia and Boston HEAP Outreaches from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help households apply for SNAP Benefits (food stamps). For more information, please call 882-7705.

 To request a HEAP application, please contact Legislator Mills at (716) 858-8850 or e-mail john.mills@erie.gov, or visit www.erie.gov/socialservices.