To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
St. Lawrence County residents and those elsewhere in New York State can apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) starting Tuesday, Nov. 12.
St. Lawrence County residents can call 315-379-2303 to receive an application.
The emergency component of HEAP will open on Jan. 2, 2020. HEAP customers who need electricity to run their furnaces and receive a disconnect notice will not be able to apply for the emergency benefit until January 2.
The state has tentatively scheduled a HEAP closing date of March 16, 2020 for regular and emergency benefits.
This heating season, eligible applicants may receive one regular benefit, one emergency fuel benefit, and one emergency electric benefit.
The income guidelines for the 2019-2020 heating assistance program are as follows: maximum monthly income of $2,494 for a family of one, $3,262 for a family of two, $4,030 for a family of three, $4,797 for a family of four, $5,565 for a family of five, $6,332 for a family of six, $6,476 for a family of seven, $6,620 for a family of eight, $6,764 for a family of 9, $6,908 for a family of 10 and $7,086 for a family of eleven.
Households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) and/or Temporary Assistance do not ordinarily need to complete a HEAP application. Any questions about HEAP can be directed to the HEAP Unit at the number above.
In addition to HEAP applications being available at the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services in Canton, applications are available at all St. Lawrence County Offices for the Aging, Catholic Charities in Ogdensburg, the St. Vincent De Paul Society in Massena, the Neighborhood Center in Gouverneur, and the mybenefits.ny.gov website. All applications are processed in the order received.
The HEAP regular benefit for oil, kerosene, and propane this year is calculated to be between $675 and $726.
The regular HEAP benefit for St. Lawrence Gas, Massena Electric, and National Grid is calculated to be between $350 and $401.
This year’s regular HEAP benefit for wood, pellets, and coal is to be between $525 and $576.
Applicants who cut their own wood and need a HEAP benefit must either choose a wood vendor or have the HEAP benefit applied to their utility bill.
The emergency HEAP benefit for oil, kerosene, and propane is calculated to be $675 ($525 for wood, $350 for natural gas, and $490 for electric heat).
The emergency benefit for heat related electricity necessary to operate a furnace is calculated to be $140.
Emergency benefits will be based on income, household size, and available resources.
Other items that may interest you
