Low- and middle-income families throughout New York are eligible for financing through the Home Energy Assistance Program, which expanded eligibility this year.
The federally funded program has eligibility requirements based on income, household size, primary heating source and vulnerable household members, which is defined as a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older, or permanently disabled.
A family of four can still qualify with a maximum gross monthly income of up to $6,390, or an annual gross income of $76.68, according to a Nov. 12 news release from the governor’s office. Last year, benefits for families of the same size were limited to a maximum monthly gross income of $5,838, and an annual gross income of $70,059.
Each eligible household can apply for one benefit, with the option to apply for emergency benefits later in the winter if there is a risk of fuel running out or utilities being turned off. Applications for regular benefits are being accepted now and applications for emergency benefits will open on January 2.
“New Yorkers should not have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table, and we are providing critical financial assistance to protect vulnerable New York households as the weather turns colder,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Applications can be submitted at www.ny.gov/heat or by mail or in person at local social services agencies. The Franklin County Department of Social Services is located at 184 Finney Boulevard in Malone. The office number is 518-481-1807. The Essex County Department of Social Services is located at 7551 Court Street in Elizabethtown and can be reached at 518-873-3878.
Elderly people who need help with their application can contact the local elderly agencies.
Last year, the state spent $1.7 million on HEAP benefits, amounting to $397 million in savings, according to the state news release. Essex County received more than 3,000 benefits and Franklin County received nearly 8,000 benefits, according to data from Darren O’Sullivan, a public information officer for the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in Albany.
Other forms of financing are also available, including for eligible homeowners who need up to $8,000 to replace an unsafe or non-functioning heating system or up to $4,000 to repair an unsafe or non-functioning heating system. Likewise, homeowners can receive up to $500 to clean or tune heating sources.
The state Energy Research and Development Authority’s EmPower program can help finance energy-efficient home improvements, and the State Homes and Community Renewal Weatherization Assistance Program works through local service providers for improvements such as installing insulation and sealing cracks and holes .
For more information about these programs, visit: Energy Research and Development Authority EmPower Program: https://tinyurl.com/4yrtmh38
Weatherization Assistance Program: https://tinyurl.com/yc6x8r7u
