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State Announces More Aid To Combat Rising Energy Prices Governor Eliot Spitzer recently announced that additional emergency home heating assistance is available to New York's most vulnerable residents, in response to rising energy costs. The state has approved offering a second emergency benefit to qualified applicants through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HEAP, a federally-funded program administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs. So far this winter heating season, HEAP has issued benefits to more than 719,000 families, totaling more than $178 million. A second emergency benefit will now be offered to qualified applicants, thanks to $82.3 million in recently-released federal HEAP contingency funds. Additionally, the amount of the emergency benefit for deliverable fuel is being increased from $600 to $700, reflecting the skyrocketing cost of home heating fuel. The additional federal funds will also allow the program to remain open until May 15, reflecting the long heating season in parts of the state. The program offers two components - a Regular Benefit and an Emergency Benefit. This season, the state increased the maximum Regular Benefit a household can receive to $540, up from $440 last winter. Additionally, qualified applicants facing an energy-related emergency, such as a power shutoff or less than 10 days supply of heating fuel, can apply for an Emergency Benefit. Under the program changes announced today, a second Emergency Benefit of up to $700 will be available to those without sufficient resources to address another crisis situation, if it should arise. Enabling county social services agencies to authorize a second HEAP Emergency Benefit for those eligible will avoid approximately $10 million in local costs by reducing the need for state and locally-funded emergency assistance payments. In addition, $6.5 million will be distributed immediately to county social services districts to offset costs incurred in administering the second emergency benefit and in accepting HEAP applications through May 15, 2008. Applications for HEAP benefits can be made at local Departments of Social Services. The funds are paid directly to participating energy vendors on behalf of clients throughout the state. The total HEAP allocation to New York State this season is $343.8 million. For information on how to apply for HEAP, visit www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap or call 1-800-342-3009.
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