Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Onondaga County Office Building

Energy Assistance Unit - 7th Floor
600 S. State Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Monday-Friday)
Phone: (315) 435-8295

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), also known as LIHEAP, is a federally funded energy assistance program to help low-income families meet their home energy costs. The HEAP program consists of three components – Regular HEAP, Emergency HEAP and Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement.

Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the program is based on income (see income guidelines below) and housing situation. Individuals must either pay directly for heating costs or pay rent that includes heating costs. Individuals must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien to apply. HEAP money is limited. The HEAP year generally begins in October or November and closes when the program funding is exhausted, which can be as early as mid-March.

Regular HEAP:
There are no resource eligibility criteria for Regular HEAP. Regular benefit amounts range from $40 to $700. Amounts depend on income, age of household members, energy costs and shelter situation. It is a one-time only benefit during the program year.

Emergency HEAP:
Emergency benefits are available for persons who are eligible for HEAP and have an energy-related emergency such as a power shutoff, less than ¼ tank oil, kerosene or propane or have less than 10 days’ supply of wood, pellets or coal. Applicant households may not have more than $2000 in liquid resources (or $3000 if the household contains a member age 60 or older). Emergency benefit amounts range from $65 to $600.

If you have already exhausted your regular HEAP benefit you may call the office at 435-8295 to apply for Emergency HEAP by phone.

Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR):
HERR benefits are available year round to help low income homeowners to repair or replace furnaces, boilers, and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional. Homeowners must reside in the home. For heating equipment repair a household may not have more than $2000 in liquid resources (or $3000 if the household contains a member age 60 or older). For heating equipment replacement $3000 in liquid resources are exempt. The maximum heating equipment replacement amount is $6,000.

2009– 2010 HEAP Guidelines
Total gross monthly household income must be at or below the following:

How to Apply
Temporary Assistance and Food Stamps households generally receive their Regular HEAP grant automatically through their case. They are not required to submit an application. Payments to households that pay for heat separate from their rent are sent to the heating vendor. Payments to households that have their heat included in their rent are paid directly to the household. To apply for Emergency HEAP, Temporary Assistance and Food Stamp recipients must contact the call center at 435-2700. See Emergency HEAP above.

Where to Apply
Individuals under 60 may apply on the 7th floor County Office Building between the hours of 8:00 - 4:00, Monday – Friday. If there is NO emergency they may call and make an appointment by phone.

Individuals that have received a benefit last season and DO NOT have an emergency may call the office to have an application mailed.

If an individual cannot apply in person due to a handicap or because of his or her work schedule, a friend or relative may apply for them. The authorized representative must bring all necessary documents as well as a note from the individual they are applying for.

Individuals 60 or over, disabled or in receipt of Code A SSI that do not have an emergency may contact the Office of Aging at (315) 435-2362 to apply by mail. All emergencies must apply in person. You must bring in your utility bill, proof of emergency, verification of tenant of record, proof of gross income for everyone in the household, ID for all household members and current resource documentation.

What to Expect
If you qualify your HEAP payment will be sent to your fuel/utility provider. It generally takes up to 3 months for the credit to appear on your bill.

After Hour Emergency
For after hour heating emergencies please call the Helpline at (315) 435-8300.

Helpful websites:

• Prescreen yourself for HEAP and other benefits at www.mybenefits.ny.gov
• www.HeatSmartNY.org
• http://www.getenergysmart.org/lowincome/EmPower.aspx