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Neighborhood
Legal Services, Inc. |
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HEAP
© 1997-2002 by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
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What is HEAP?
HEAP stands for the
Home Energy Assistance Program. This is a program that helps low-income families pay
for home heating. In this information letter, we describe Regular HEAP. If you
need information on Emergency HEAP, a program which helps people threatened with the loss
of heat, please call our office.
Who is eligible for HEAP?
In order to
get HEAP, you must either be responsible for paying your own heating bills out of your
grant or pay for heat as part of your rent. You do not have to deal directly with a
utility company or other energy supplier. But there are exceptions. If you
live in subsidized housing, you will not get HEAP unless you pay your own heating bills
directly to the utility company. Other exceptions may include:
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certain roomers/boarders
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individuals living temporarily in
hotels/motels
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individuals living in group care
facilities
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individuals living temporarily in
cars, vans, etc.
If you are denied
HEAP because of your living arrangement, call our office immediately.
Will I automatically qualify for HEAP if I am receiving PA, FS or SSI?
You will
probably qualify for and get HEAP automatically if your household has a
"vulnerable" member (for example: (a) a child under six years of age, or
(b) an individual 60 years of age or older, or (c) an individual with a disability), or if
you received benefits last year. You should receive a form by January 31 about your
HEAP eligibility. Be sure to complete and return the form. If you don't get
the mailer, you have to apply for HEAP.
What if I do not receive benefits from any program?
All new
applicants and all HEAP applicants who are not receiving food stamps or public assistance
funds are asked to go to 291 Pearl Street site (former Hens & Kelly Bldg.), not to the
Rath County Office Building. If you receive public assistance or food stamps, you
will not have to be interviewed, so you can go to the HEAP office at 158 Pearl Street
between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. However, if your service is being terminated, or you
do not get public assistance or food stamps, you should get to the Rath Building as early
as possible.
How much will I get from HEAP?
The size of your
HEAP benefit will depend on the type of heat you use and whether you pay your heating
costs directly to a utility company or pay for heat as part of your rent. Since the
amounts change from year-to-year, call our office if you have a question about the amount.
Who will receive the HEAP check?
Usually, the check
will be paid directly to the utility company. However, if your heat is included in
your rent, the check will usually be sent to you. There are, however, exceptions.
What if I have questions about HEAP?
Call the HEAP
Office of the Erie County Department of Social Services at 858-7644. If your
questions are not answered there, feel free to call us.
Also, you may
call us immediately if you are denied HEAP or have questions about the amount you
received. We will review your case and tell you how to challenge the decision, or we
may agree to take your case. You must request a Fair Hearing within 60 days of the
decision. Notify New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
(NYSOTDA) by telephone, fax, or mail that you want a Fair Hearing. You can write on
the back of your notice the reason for requesting the hearing. If you phone, get the
name of the person you speak to. If you write, send your letter by certified mail
and keep a copy. The correct address is:
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)
Office of Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 1930
Albany, New York 12201-1930
Telephone No.: 1-800-342-3334 or (716) 852-4868
Fax No: (518) 473-6735 (you must have form from Albany)
