The HEAP Program helps low-income households meet the high cost of home energy. Both those who pay separately for heating costs and households whose heat is included in their rent may be eligible for benefits during the program year. The HEAP year generally begins in November and closes when the program funding is exhausted, which can be as early as mid-March. Each year the income guidelines and benefits change. How to Apply for HEAPSeniors (age 60 and over) and persons who are permanently disabled may apply by mail to:
All others, including seniors in an emergency situation, must apply in person, or designate someone to apply for them, at: EAC Inc. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or cash benefits should contact their worker at the Nassau County Department of Social Services. If you are required to apply in person, an eligibility worker will ask that you submit verification of your household composition, including Social Security cards, birth certificates, as well as income verification for all household members, While there is no resource test for regular HEAP, all households must have gross monthly income at or below HEAP income guidelines. Click on the link below to get the income eligibility guidelines. The guidelines will appear when the season opens. You may apply for a HEAP benefit when you see the income guidelines posted. No HEAP benefits are available when the income chart is not posted. Lack of a chart indicates that the season is closed. Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) BenefitsHouseholds who pay for heating fuel may receive a
fuel benefit amount based on fuel type, income, and household
size. Eligible renters, whose heat is included
in their rent, may receive a small renters benefit.
Benefits under the Emergency HEAP component can help
prevent utility shut offs, provide emergency fuel deliveries,
repair or replace essential, applicant-owned heating
equipment. Generally, a household must utilize
all liquid resources to be eligible for emergency HEAP,
with the exception of heating equipment replacement. Heating
equipment replacement is limited to one time in a 10-year period.
Targeted HouseholdsNew York's benefit program is structured in such a
way that higher benefits are provided to those households
that: have larger percentages of their income spent on
energy costs; contain a vulnerable individual; and have
the lowest income.
Vulnerable individuals are defined as children under
the age of 6, adults aged 60 or older, or disabled individuals.
You must also live in an eligible housing situation. This generally means that you must either pay directly for heating costs or must pay rent that includes heating costs. If you reside in subsidized housing, you must pay heating costs separately from your rent. Individual applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified aliens. BENEFIT STRUCTURENew York's benefit program consists of two components, regular benefits and emergency benefits. You may be evaluated for emergency benefits when your regulary benefits are exhausted. Related Links: Nassau
County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs
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