A HEAP of help with home heating for eligible Long Islanders
Eligible Nassau and Suffolk residents can begin applying Friday for home heating assistance from the Home Energy Assistance Program, which operates throughout the state. Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas
The Home Energy Assistance Program, which is federally funded and operates throughout New York State, opens Friday, and Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine is encouraging eligible county residents to apply if they need help with home heating expenses and emergencies.
"When our most vulnerable residents can't cover their fuel delivery or burner repair costs, and still put food on the table, they need to know we have funds available to help keep their heat on," Romaine said in a notice sent this week, referring to the program, also known by the acronym, HEAP.
"HEAP is a safety net for homeowners and renters — because no one should have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family," he said.
John E. Imhof, Suffolk's social services commissioner, said in a statement: "If you or someone you know is struggling to pay for heating costs this winter please don't wait to reach out to us — help is available now."
He said residents can call the Suffolk County Department of Social Services at 631-854-9100 after business hours, weekends and evenings if they have a heating emergency. HEAP is administered in Suffolk through the department.
In addition, the county's Office for the Aging is the "alternate certifier" which "assists in HEAP Early Outreach cases, which are households that include seniors, the disabled, children under age 6 and last year's regular HEAP recipients," Romaine's notice said.
Suffolk residents can apply by mail, fax and online through myBenefits.ny.gov, or in person at Department of Social Services locations in Deer Park, Smithtown, Coram and Riverhead, Romaine said in his announcement. The county notice added that HEAP assisted 52,000 Suffolk households last year.
The website of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said: "Eligibility and benefits are based on: income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled."
Also noted on the state website: "If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off."
The Nassau County Department of Human Services also administers the program through its Office for the Aging.
In addition to the online state portal, the county website said applicants for regular HEAP can apply in person or by mail to: Nassau County Office for the Aging, 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., 2nd Floor North Entrance, Uniondale, NY 11553. Their phone number is 516-227-7386.
"All others (including applicants age 60 and over or permanently disabled, with an emergency) may apply in person or by mail" to: EAC Inc., 175 Fulton Ave., 4th Floor, Hempstead, NY 11550, the website stated. That phone number is 516-565-4327.
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