The federally funded Home Entergy Assistance Program (HEAP) may help you with heating and utility costs, repair or replacement of essential heating equipment and Weatherization improvements to your home.

The regular component of HEAP is available to households paying for heat or for some households paying rent with heat included.

Emergency HEAP benefits are available to assist households in meeting a heat or utility shut-off or crisis.


You maybe eligible to receive HEAP benefits if:
· You receive Temporary Assistance, Food Stamps or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
· Your income is at or below current income guidelines
· You pay for heating costs included in your rent
· You live in subsidized housing and pay directly for heating costs

To find out if you can receive regular HEAP and Weatherization benefits call
Yates County Office for the Aging at 315-536-5515 if you are age 60 and older or Yates County Department of Social Services at 315-536-5183 if you are under age 60.

For emergency assistance with your heating or utility bills and heating equipment repairs/replacement regardless of your age, contact Yates County Department of Social Services at 315-536-5183.


New 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 8, adults aged 60 or older, or disabled individuals.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for the program is based on income and your housing situation. Your total gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following:

Income Guidelines:
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
INCOME LIMIT

1    $1,678
2    $2,194
3    $2,710
4   $3,226
5   $3,742
6   $4,258
7   $4,355
8   $4,452
9   $4,549
10  $4,646
11  $4,958
Each Additional Person Add $385


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.

In order to be eligible for emergency benefits, the household must meet the above criteria and also must:

Be in an energy emergency as designed by New York State's HEAP Plan
Be the customer and tenant of record
Reside in the dwelling
Have insufficient liquid resources to meet the emergency