NORWICH – Individuals and families receiving public assistance to heat their homes are finding it difficult to stay ahead of the blowing snow and colder temperatures that came on early this winter.
More people are making application with the Chenango County Department of Social Services to receive their 2010/2011 Home Energy Assistance Program allocations.
Some are doing so after they’ve already depleted existing supplies.
“We normally don’t see the numbers that we are seeing this early,” said Sharon Sutherland, HEAP program director for DSS. Caseworkers have been personally faxing their clients’ regular suppliers to request that their fuel be delivered and to guarantee payment.
DSS is also starting to see people who have already gone through their first regular HEAP installment and need to apply for an emergency allowance. Sutherland said she is concerned because Congress hasn’t determined whether a second emergency HEAP payout will be available to states in the 2011/2012 season.
“Don’t look for that to happen this year,” she said. “If they are using their emergency now, what’ll happen in February?”
New York state is asking counties to keep a heads up on HEAP. It is unknown whether the federal government will push out additional money for the program later in the year.
DSS does have other funding streams to turn to for their clients. If someone has a heating emergency later, the assistance could fall under the realm of emergency cash, safety net, or aid to adults and/or families programs.
However, local taxpayer dollars will kick in to pay for HEAP then. In her monthly report to the Chenango County Health and Human Services Committee, DSS Commissioner Bette Osborne said, “It would make a big difference in how the department administers it programs if funding for the federal program isn’t lined up for 2011 soon.”
Fuel supply emergencies in Chenango County are “unbelievably” higher, she said.
Committee member Richard Schlag, D-German, questioned why the county would have to cover the cost for HEAP if the program weren’t funded. Osborne said DSS “is responsible” to provide heating fuel assistance under different programs already.
“We’re trying to get the word out for people to sign up now in case the money is not there after January,” she said.
The 2008/2009 HEAP grand total, including cash assistance that went out (which automatically makes recipients eligible for HEAP) and food stamps (which make some automatically eligible) was $3,007,930 for 4,841 households. This season’s, through September 2010, was $2,755,166 for 5,166 households. Last year’s amount was higher because even with fewer served, the benefit itself was greater, Sutherland said.
Income Maintenance and Child Support Director Sue Curnalia said individuals who are facing a fuel issue or who are concerned about payment for this season should be looking into whether or not they are eligible to apply for home heating assistance. Those under 60 are directed to contact Opportunities for Chenango and those over 60 should contact Area Agency on Aging, both in Norwich.
Osborne said caseworkers are having a problem keeping up with demand in all areas of public assistance. She received the committee’s approval to transfer $15,000 from an unfilled caseworker line in her budget to overtime. Osborne said there was currently is a backlog of about 50 days to receive safety net; 30 for family; and 30 for medical assistance programs.
Chenango County administers the federal program. HEAP payments go through the New York State Office of the Comptroller directly to vendors for their authorized customers.