Senator Larkin Urges Seniors to Apply for Heating Assistance

The 2010 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) applications will be made available on November 1st to those low-income individuals who need assistance in paying their home heating costs. HEAP is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement a household's annual energy cost. There is also an emergency benefit for households with a heat or heat related energy emergency. A Furnace Repair or Replacement component of HEAP is available to help low-income homeowners repair or replace furnaces, boilers, and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional. The Furnace Repair component of HEAP began accepting applications on October 1st, 2010.

"HEAP is an extremely beneficial program that can assist those individuals or households that need additional help with paying their home heating costs during our long winters," said Senator Bill Larkin, (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson). "I urge everyone who is eligible to apply for benefits."

Seniors (60 and over) can apply through their County Office for the Aging. The Orange County Office for the Aging phone number is 845-615-3709. The Ulster County Office for the Aging phone number is 845-340-3006.

All others with questions regarding the HEAP program should contact their Local Department of Social Services Office or the NYS HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 (press "2" for HEAP). The Orange County Department of Social Services phone number is 845-291-2002. The Ulster County Department of Social Services phone number is 845-334-5436.

There are gross monthly income guidelines that must be met to be eligible for the program. These income guidelines, and other pertinent information on the program, can be found on the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance web site at http://otda.ny.gov/main/programs/heap.