HOME HEATING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

For moderate to low-income homeowners, various forms of government and private sector financial assistance are available to help you with your heating bills this winter.

1. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, (LIHEAP):

This federally funded program helps qualified persons pay their heating bills during times when they need assistance. Need is determined by your income and other factors. Emergency assistance is also available. Funds are limited, so if you're interested, please apply early.

There are three major components to this energy assistance program:

• Regular Benefits: Financial assistance can be as high as $600 plus applicable add-ons, based on eligibility.
• Emergency Benefits: Based upon the type of emergency, the benefit can be as high as $600.
• Furnace Repair and Replacement: These costs, paid in full or in part, are handled on a case-by-case basis.

An application to the Nassau or Suffolk County Departments of Social Services may be found here or by calling (516) 565-4327 in Nassau [senior citizens call (516) 227-8987] or (631) 853-8825 in Suffolk.

2. Project Warmth:

A division of the L.I. United Way, Project Warmth is a non-profit charitable organization which receives its funding from individual and corporate contributions. The program is now accepting applications for the 2011 heating season. Click here for details.

3. L.I. Power Authority: Residential Energy Affordability Partnership (LIPA-REAP):

One of the easiest ways to lower your home energy costs is to reduce your consumption through increased energy conservation. If you meet the income eligibility guidelines, the LIPA-REAP program will provide a no-cost, complete energy audit of your home and provide needed assistance to make your home more energy efficient. To learn more about REAP, call (800) 263-6786.

4. Community Development Corporation (CDC):

Weatherization Assistance Program: This is a free energy conservation program provided to income-eligible households on an annual basis in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The goal is to make the homes of low-income Long Islanders, especially the elderly and disabled, more energy efficient. An energy audit is conducted by an inspector to determine the most cost-effective means of reducing the home's energy consumption. A sample analysis of completed units shows that this program has reduced its clients' energy consumption by 22%. For further information, please call (631) 471-1215 ext. 172 or visit www.cdcli.org.