In cold weather, HEAP can help
NORWICH – As colder weather looms, thousands of Chenango County residents this year will turn to the Chenango County Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to keep warm.
More than 8,000 regular and emergency HEAP benefits were authorized last year to households across the county. With another HEAP season already off to a frigid start, thousands more are expected to seek assistance in the coming months, say HEAP organizers.
“The program results in a very busy time for Chenango County Social Services,” said Chenango Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner Daniel Auwarter, noting that the HEAP program this year will open Nov. 18 and continue through Feb. 1, 2014. There are no requirements for an in-person interview to determine eligibility and interviews can be done via face-to-face or telephone meetings.
Each year, Chenango DSS administers the federally funded HEAP program for income-eligible households. HEAP provides financial assistance to subsidize heating costs and heating equipment repair or replacement. Federally mandated outreach and alternative certification services are provided through collaboration with the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging and Opportunities for Chenango.
“This year, there are some changes to the program that we would like the community to be aware of,” said Auwarter. “The biggest change for this year is the availability of applying online for HEAP through ‘My Benefits,’ the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance portal.”
County residents wishing to apply for HEAP benefits can do so by visiting www.mybenefits.ny.gov and following the given step-by-step procedure. Auwarter said the feature allows new applicants to submit an inquiry without going through the strenuous process of filing paper forms at the Norwich based DSS office. “We are encouraging new applicants to utilize My Benefits as it saves time and travel,” Auwarter said.
Despite initial word that HEAP would not have funding for furnace repair and replacement the 2013-14 heating season, the agency received word last week that the NYS Office of Temporary Disabilities and Assistance received more funding for the HEAP program than initially proposed. Subsequently, home furnace repair and replacement will continue another year. Applications for furnace repair and replacement will be accepted beginning Nov. 12.
Chenango County HEAP Coordinator Patty Hodge said with increased presence of the HEAP program online, hopes are to reach out to county residents who fall through the cracks. “There will be a push for people to get their application in earlier and we are really encouraging people to use the website,” she added.
While concrete numbers are not yet available, Chenango County DSS estimates more than 8,000 homeowners benefitted from regular and emergency HEAP assistance in the 2012-13 heating season. Last year’s numbers keep pace with those from the 2011-12 heating season, when a total 5,127 households received regular HEAP benefits (totaling $1.8 million); 3,938 households received one-time supplemental heating assistance, totaling $590,710; and 1,578 received emergency assistance, totaling $834,428. Additionally, 54 households were eligible for furnace repair or replacement, totaling $118,520.
“Our phones have already started to ring for this heating season,” Hodge said. “Word is getting out and more people are taking advantage of HEAP.”
For more information regarding HEAP, residents 60 years of age and older may contact the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging at 337-1770. Residents under the age of 60 can contact Opportunities for Chenango at 336-4327. Additional information is available online at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap.
More than 8,000 regular and emergency HEAP benefits were authorized last year to households across the county. With another HEAP season already off to a frigid start, thousands more are expected to seek assistance in the coming months, say HEAP organizers.
“The program results in a very busy time for Chenango County Social Services,” said Chenango Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner Daniel Auwarter, noting that the HEAP program this year will open Nov. 18 and continue through Feb. 1, 2014. There are no requirements for an in-person interview to determine eligibility and interviews can be done via face-to-face or telephone meetings.
Each year, Chenango DSS administers the federally funded HEAP program for income-eligible households. HEAP provides financial assistance to subsidize heating costs and heating equipment repair or replacement. Federally mandated outreach and alternative certification services are provided through collaboration with the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging and Opportunities for Chenango.
“This year, there are some changes to the program that we would like the community to be aware of,” said Auwarter. “The biggest change for this year is the availability of applying online for HEAP through ‘My Benefits,’ the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance portal.”
County residents wishing to apply for HEAP benefits can do so by visiting www.mybenefits.ny.gov and following the given step-by-step procedure. Auwarter said the feature allows new applicants to submit an inquiry without going through the strenuous process of filing paper forms at the Norwich based DSS office. “We are encouraging new applicants to utilize My Benefits as it saves time and travel,” Auwarter said.
Despite initial word that HEAP would not have funding for furnace repair and replacement the 2013-14 heating season, the agency received word last week that the NYS Office of Temporary Disabilities and Assistance received more funding for the HEAP program than initially proposed. Subsequently, home furnace repair and replacement will continue another year. Applications for furnace repair and replacement will be accepted beginning Nov. 12.
Chenango County HEAP Coordinator Patty Hodge said with increased presence of the HEAP program online, hopes are to reach out to county residents who fall through the cracks. “There will be a push for people to get their application in earlier and we are really encouraging people to use the website,” she added.
While concrete numbers are not yet available, Chenango County DSS estimates more than 8,000 homeowners benefitted from regular and emergency HEAP assistance in the 2012-13 heating season. Last year’s numbers keep pace with those from the 2011-12 heating season, when a total 5,127 households received regular HEAP benefits (totaling $1.8 million); 3,938 households received one-time supplemental heating assistance, totaling $590,710; and 1,578 received emergency assistance, totaling $834,428. Additionally, 54 households were eligible for furnace repair or replacement, totaling $118,520.
“Our phones have already started to ring for this heating season,” Hodge said. “Word is getting out and more people are taking advantage of HEAP.”
For more information regarding HEAP, residents 60 years of age and older may contact the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging at 337-1770. Residents under the age of 60 can contact Opportunities for Chenango at 336-4327. Additional information is available online at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap.
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