Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Guidelines 1996-1997
Please ensure that seniors have a full understanding of the
following guidelines. The importance of the Personal Privacy Law
Notification on the back of the application and the Important
Notice statement on the front should be stressed when assisting
seniors with the completion of the HEAP application. Completed
applications may be mailed directly to the Department for the
Aging.
Attention
All Department for the Aging (DFTA) applicants who were approved
for a 1995-96 HEAP grant will automatically receive a pre-printed
1996-97 HEAP application in the mail. This computer-generated
application will contain specific applicant information. Please
encourage persons receiving this type of application in the mail
to use this document when applying for HEAP. If an applicant has
not received the application by mid-January, please provide one.
You should be aware that in prior years the Program has closed as
early as March 12th. HEAP is a federally funded program and once
available funds are used up, no benefits will be issued, and the
Program will close. It is strongly recommended that your
applicants complete and return the application as soon as
possible.
Eligibility
A DFTA application may be completed if one is either:
- 60 years of age or older,
- Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI Code-A) and lives alone or with a spouse only,
- The head of household receiving Social Security Disability Benefits.
- Individuals in non-DFTA HEAP categories should be instructed
to call the HRA InfoLine: (718) 291-1900, for application information.
Income Guidelines
New Income Guidelines are as follows:
|
Household Size: |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Maximum
Monthly Income:
|
$968 | $1,295 | $1,623 | $1,950 | $2,278 |
There are certain income deductions and exclusions that can
affect an applicant's income eligibility. Deductions may be made
for applicants who pay for certified home health care services
provided by someone other than a family member (documentation
needed). Persons who receive rental income must, with the proper
documentation, apply in person at DFTA's Information & Referral
Unit located at 2 Lafayette Street, 6th Floor.
Benefit Grant Amounts
The amount of a regular non-heating grant is based on household
size and household income. Benefits to heater households will
take into account several criteria based on a Point System.
Households that pay for heat, and renters who pay for utilities
will receive a line of credit with their vendor (energy
suppliers). If utilities costs are included in the rent, the
applicant will receive a direct payment. Only one grant per
household is permitted.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Code-A Recipients
SSI Code-A recipients enrolled in the program as of October 30,
l996 are categorically eligible for HEAP and will automatically
receive the HEAP grant from the Community Development Agency
(CDA).
Persons who become eligible for the SSI Code A Program after
October 30, 1996 should complete a DFTA application.
SSI Code-A recipients who receive an automatic grant and pay for
heat directly should apply for a Supplemental grant through the
Department for the Aging, in addition to the HEAP check they
receive in the mail. Supplemental grant amounts will vary
according to a point system.
Public Assistance Recipients
An automatic benefit will be issued to PA households ONLY if they
are on the public assistance rolls as of December 30, 1996 AND
the Household contains a vulnerable member. Otherwise a CDA
application must be completed.
Non-Public Assistance (NPA) Food Stamp Recipients
An automatic benefit will be issued to NPA food stamps households
only if they are on the rolls as of December 30, 1996 AND the
household contains a vulnerable member. Otherwise a CDA
application must be completed .
Note: A vulnerable household is defined as a household containing
elderly person(s) age 60 or older, or disabled individual(s) or a
child or children under 6 years of age.
Emergency Assistance Base Benefit-Only Heat-Related
The following HEAP emergency benefit types are available to
resolve the heat-related emergency needs of HEAP eligible
households:
- Utility Emergency. (Heat or Heat-Related Only)
- Heat related domestic only - $100
- Natural gas heat - $235
- Electric heat - $485 ($385 heat plus $100 for heat related domestic)
Each benefit is available once per program year and buys a
minimum of thirty (30) days of prospective service. A full
benefit or the total balance due, which ever is less, is
issued.
- Non-Utility Heating Emergencies (Fuel)
A one time benefit of $270 is authorized.
Emergency Assistance, Non-Heat Related
HEAP does not have emergency assistance available for non-heat
related (utilities) emergencies. Seniors can seek assistance from
their local Income Maintenance (IM) center.
For information regarding locations of CDA offices and IM centers
contact the HRA InfoLine at (718) 291-1900.
DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING APPLICATION AND ASSISTANCE
For Department for the Aging HEAP applications and assistance,
please call (212) 442-1000.
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