Liberty, NY – With colder days not that far off, Sullivan County’s Division of Health & Family Services wants residents to understand what is being offered and what is being required through this year’s HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program).
“HEAP season begins November 12, but folks need to get ready before then, to ensure they’re eligible and in the program,” explained Health & Family Services Commissioner Joe Todora. “The earlier we know their needs, the more certain residents can be of receiving HEAP benefits at the time they need them.”
The County has already sent many early outreach applications to residents, and anyone who received one needs to fill it out and return it immediately, especially if there have been changes in their lives and homes since last year (for example, with earned income). Returning these applications now will ensure HEAP benefits are available at the start of the season.
For Public Assistance/Food Stamps recipients, HEAP Information Request Forms were due back in July but continue to be accepted by the County. Receiving these forms back is vitally important to assure benefits are routed through the correct vendors and suppliers. If they are not returned, HEAP benefits will NOT be issued automatically, and clients will need to complete an application at Health & Family Services, then wait for processing.
Available programs extend beyond the commonly-known funding for heating fuel. Eligible homeowners can apply to have their furnaces cleaned and tuned before the season starts, and/or have non-functioning furnaces repaired/replaced (again, before the season starts).
“We processed more than 7,000 early applications last year, so I encourage people not to delay. Apply immediately,” remarked District 2 Legislator Nadia Rajsz, chair of the Legislature’s Health & Family Services Committee. “Don’t get caught out in the cold – literally.”
For more information, call the County’s HEAP Office at 845-807-0142.
