DO YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR HEATING BILLS THIS WINTER?

With the high energy prices we are all experiencing this heating season, many elderly, low or fixed income homeowners will undoubtedly have a difficult time paying their heating oil bills.

Financial assistance, however, is available from a number of governmental and private sources:

1. LIHEAP...The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program - Administered locally by the Depts. of Social Services in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
   
2. Suffolk County Supplemental Energy Assistance Program - Also administered by DSS.
   
3. Project Warmth - An energy costs benefit program run by the L.I. United Way.
   

Each funding source is explained in more detail below:

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LIHEAP - (Click Here For The Official LIHEAP Website)

This state and federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program has three major components:

• Regular Benefits: Financial assistance ranges from $150 to $400 per household, based on eligibility.
  
• Emergency Benefits: Based upon the type of emergency, the benefit can be as high as an additional $400.
  
• Furnace Repair and Replacement: These costs...paid in full or in part...are handled on a case-by-base basis.
  

Targeted Households
New York's benefit program is structured in such a way that higher benefits are provided to those households that have larger percentages of their income spent on energy costs, contain a vulnerable individual, and have the lowest income.

Vulnerable individuals are defined as children under the age of 6, adults aged 60 or older, or disabled individuals

Eligibility
Eligibility for the program is based on income and housing situation. Total gross monthly income per household size must be at or below the following:

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$1,803
2	$2,358
3	$2,913
4	$3,468
5	$4,022
6	$4,577
7	$4,681
8	$4,785
9	$4,889
10	$4,993
11	$5,273
Each Additional Person: Add $408

Receiving Benefits
Households may apply for regular benefits in one of the ways listed below.

Application

• Applicants must request benefits using a state prescribed form. This includes applications printed from the OTDA website, e-filed applications, and the TA/FS short form.
  
• Applications are available at the Nassau or Suffolk social services district HEAP offices.
  

Payments

• Payments to eligible households that pay for heat separate from their rent are sent directly to the household's heating vendor.
  

CONTACTING THE DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Nassau County:
Regular #: (516) 571-5584
After Hours # (516) 572-3143
Suffolk County:
Regular #: (613) 853-8825
After Hours # (631) 854-9100

(Click Here For The Official LIHEAP Website)

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SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPPLEMENTAL HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

This additional $1 million in financial assistance is funded from the County Energy Sales Tax. Maximum benefits can be as high as $300 per eligible household.

The eligibility criteria are substantially higher than the LIHEAP Program; thus, individuals and families who do not qualify for LIHEAP assistance may qualify for this supplemental assistance program. Homeowners should contact the Suffolk County D.S.S. to find out about this program. Applicants should call (631) 854-2368 to obtain an application package. Or you can print the application and documentation requirements from here. Applicants will not be seen at the center.

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PROJECT WARMTH

Funded by L.I. United Way Campaign: Additional financial assistance is available through this non-profit program. Benefits of up to $300 per eligible household are paid directly to the fuel or energy supplier. Contact Project Warmth @ (631) 940-3757.