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Wednesday, March 11, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
ALBANY — Those in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off can now apply for a second emergency benefit through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
The additional assistance is being made available in light of the prolonged cold weather and additional federal funding awarded to the state, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office.
“This year’s severe winter has left many families struggling to pay their heating bills – but a second round of emergency assistance will help people stay warm and safe through the end of the season,” Gov. Cuomo said. “This extra funding will be a crucial form of support for families across the state, and I encourage anyone who may need help affording their heating bills to reach out to us today.”
Normally, eligible households can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for a single emergency HEAP benefit if they face an energy emergency situation. Households that have already received a regular benefit and an emergency benefit can now apply for a second emergency benefit if they find themselves in a crisis situation. Applications for regular and emergency HEAP benefits will be accepted through Friday, March 27.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Executive Deputy Commissioner Sharon Devine said, “Another harsh winter has wreaked havoc on household budgets and we’ve heard from our local partners that senior citizens and the elderly have been particularly hard hit. It’s important that households facing an emergency situation know that help is still available but they need to contact their local department of social services to apply.”
HEAP is 100-percent federally funded and New York State has received a total of $377 million in federal HEAP funding for the 2014-15 season, including a late-winter release of $33.3 million. Emergency benefit amounts vary depending on the emergency, up to a maximum of $575.
Eligibility varies based on income and household size. For the 2014-15 HEAP season, a household of four can earn up to $50,629 a year, or $4,219 a month, and still qualify for assistance.
So far this winter, a total of nearly 1.4 million HEAP benefits have been issued, including more than 75,000 emergency HEAP benefits.
For more information about the Home Energy Assistance Program, call 1-800-342-3009, or visit http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/.
news@eastniagarapost.com
ALBANY — Those in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off can now apply for a second emergency benefit through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
The additional assistance is being made available in light of the prolonged cold weather and additional federal funding awarded to the state, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office.
“This year’s severe winter has left many families struggling to pay their heating bills – but a second round of emergency assistance will help people stay warm and safe through the end of the season,” Gov. Cuomo said. “This extra funding will be a crucial form of support for families across the state, and I encourage anyone who may need help affording their heating bills to reach out to us today.”
Normally, eligible households can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for a single emergency HEAP benefit if they face an energy emergency situation. Households that have already received a regular benefit and an emergency benefit can now apply for a second emergency benefit if they find themselves in a crisis situation. Applications for regular and emergency HEAP benefits will be accepted through Friday, March 27.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Executive Deputy Commissioner Sharon Devine said, “Another harsh winter has wreaked havoc on household budgets and we’ve heard from our local partners that senior citizens and the elderly have been particularly hard hit. It’s important that households facing an emergency situation know that help is still available but they need to contact their local department of social services to apply.”
HEAP is 100-percent federally funded and New York State has received a total of $377 million in federal HEAP funding for the 2014-15 season, including a late-winter release of $33.3 million. Emergency benefit amounts vary depending on the emergency, up to a maximum of $575.
Eligibility varies based on income and household size. For the 2014-15 HEAP season, a household of four can earn up to $50,629 a year, or $4,219 a month, and still qualify for assistance.
So far this winter, a total of nearly 1.4 million HEAP benefits have been issued, including more than 75,000 emergency HEAP benefits.
For more information about the Home Energy Assistance Program, call 1-800-342-3009, or visit http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/.
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