$372M available for home heating

ALBANY COUNTY — More than $372 million in assistance is available to help older adults and low- and middle-income New Yorkers heat their homes this winter. Local departments of social services began accepting applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program on Tuesday, November 13.

Last winter, 65,482 households in the Capital District received assistance.

A household can receive a one-time regular HEAP benefit of up to $726 if eligible. Eligibility is based on income, household size, and how the home is heated. A family of four can have a household income of up to $55,178 a year, or $4,598 a month, and still qualify for help.

Last year, more than 1.4 million households received heating assistance through HEAP, which is overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Applications for the program, which is 100 percent federally funded, are accepted at local departments of social services. In Albany County, these are:

— Albany County Department of Social Services, 162 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210; phone: 518-447-7323;

— CHOICES at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Route 9W, Faith Plaza, Ravena, NY 12143; phone: 518-756-8650;

— Cornell Cooperative Extension, 230 Green Street, Floor 3, Albany, NY 12202; phone: 518- 765-3500; and

— After Hours Emergency Contact: Homeless and Travelers Aid Society; phone: 518)-463-2124.

Anyone living outside of New York City may apply for a regular HEAP benefit online at myBenefits.ny.gov. Additionally, households that have already received assistance may qualify for a one-time emergency HEAP benefit if they are at risk of getting their heat shut off or running out of fuel, which they cannot afford to resupply.

Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted starting on Wednesday, Jan. 2. Anyone in need of emergency assistance should contact their local department of social services.

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