Home Heating Help Available for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities
Mineola, NY - September 22, 2014 - Family and Children’s Association (FCA), one of Long Island’s largest human service organizations, is offering free advice to those who may be eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HEAP is a federally-funded program that operates through NYS Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance and provides once-a-year heating assistance to eligible households. Family & Children’s Association assists Nassau County seniors (60 years of age and older) and persons with disabilities (SSD or SSI) in filing their HEAP application. The office is located at 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 260, Uniondale, NY 11553. Eligible households are encouraged to apply as soon as possible since funding is limited (see below to determine eligibility). To request an application, contact Family & Children’s Association’s HEAP office at 516-227-7386. Applications will be available once the HEAP season opens on November 17, 2014. At that time, applications can also be filed online at myBenefits.ny.gov.
Eligibility and Benefits:
- Eligibility for a regular HEAP benefit is based on household income. This winter, single person households with gross monthly incomes up to $2,194 are eligible. For two person households, the maximum income is $2,869 per month. The income threshold increases with household size.
- Benefits range from $575 to $625 for households that heat with oil, and from $350 to $400 for homes that use gas or electric heat. Renters whose heat is included in their rent can get a benefit between $21 and $35.
- In addition to the annual benefit, HEAP households may be eligible for emergency heating benefits during the winter months; cooling assistance for medically eligible households in the summer; and reduced rates on their gas, electric and telephone bills.
“We hope all eligible seniors and persons with disabilities will take advantage of our free application assistance in order to successfully apply for home heating assistance and ensure their homes are heated this winter,” noted Family & Children’s President/CEO Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D.
Visit FamilyandChildrens.org for more information on Family & Children’s Association.