KOPPELL ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2011-12 HEAP PROGRAM

If you can't afford to heat your home, please review the following information sent by Councilman Koppell. There might be help available through the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program. Please forward this e-mail to anyone you know who might need the extra help to stay warm this winter.

Gregory

*********

Program Assists Eligible Individuals Pay For Winter Energy Bills

Council Member Oliver Koppell has announced that the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federally-funded program to assist people on low or fixed incomes pay for their winter energy bills, is now accepting applications for the 2011-12 season.

People are eligible for assistance if they meet the following criteria:

U.S. citizen or qualified alien;

Household income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size: i.e. gross monthly income not to exceed $2, 146 for an individual; $2,806 for a couple; $4, 127 for a family of four;

Receiving Temporary Assistance (Safety Net or Family Assistance);

Receiving Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone);

.Receiving Food Stamps.

HEAP may help you pay for electricity, gas, oil coal, propane, wood/wood pellets, kerosene, corn and may be available even if your heat is included in your rent. You may also be eligible for a regular HEAP benefit even if you have money in the bank, stocks, bonds or other resources.

If you have an energy emergency such as a power shut-off or less than a quarter tank/ten day supply of heating fuel, you can apply for a HEAP emergency benefit. This is in addition to your regular HEAP benefit.

Applications for HEAP are available in Koppell’s district office, 3636 Waldo Avenue Bronx/ Riverdale. For more information, you may call the office at (718) 549-7300 or the Toll-Free Hot Line at 800-342-3009 or visit www.otda.state.ny.us and click on “Resources for Working Families“.

“ I would like to encourage people who need help with their energy bills and believe they are eligible for the HEAP program to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited,” Koppell said.