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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2009
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Release #:01-2009
[Photo Credit: Gia Storms]
Gotbaum: City Must Promote Home Heating Program So New York Families Aren’t Left Out In the Cold
MANHATTAN – With temperatures expected to be in the single digits at the end of the week and through the weekend, Public Advocate Gotbaum today urged eligible New Yorkers to apply for HEAP, the Home Energy Assistance Program. The Public Advocate called on the city to do more to raise awareness about the program, including launching a public awareness campaign to inform more New Yorkers about how to apply for HEAP.
A 2008 survey by the Community Service Society of 1500 New York City residents showed that rising gas and home heating prices were the top worry among moderate-income respondents, and that 46% worry all or most of the time that their families’ total incomes will not be enough to meet their expenses and bills.
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, “In tough times like these, the cold winter affects our low-income families most. Inadequate heating is just another consequence of this recession, and New York’s neediest populations, including children, will be affected. Fortunately for these families, there is help available. HEAP offers funds for eligible residents to pay their energy bills and stay warm in the winter. For years I have called attention to the importance of this program and have fought to increase its funding. Now, more than ever, we must make sure New Yorkers are aware of HEAP’s benefits. This is no time to leave our families out in the cold.”
Mayra Garcia, a Brooklyn resident who called the Office of the Public Advocate to get help paying her heating bill said, “I don’t make much money, and we’re cutting back at work, so I was really worried about how I was going to make ends meet. I felt I had no options, and I had no idea I could get help from HEAP until I called the Office of the Public Advocate. "
Nancy Wackstein, Executive Director of UNH said, "United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) is thankful for the federal HEAP increase, which has enabled Governor Paterson to increase the State's HEAP benefit and expand income eligibility requirements for the program. We are glad to stand with the Public Advocate to promote HEAP and we applaud her efforts to draw attention to this critically important service. The expansion of HEAP will help more low-income individuals and families pay their energy bills and keep their homes and apartments heated through the winter. UNH's member agencies serve many New Yorkers eligible for HEAP, and we encourage them to take advantage of the program this year."
In November, Governor Paterson announced an increase in the income eligibility levels for emergency HEAP benefits. As of January 1, 2009, a family of four which has an annual income of up to $56,635 may qualify for emergency assistance with home heating costs. Governor Paterson also announced increased funding for the regular HEAP benefit. A $100 supplemental benefit will automatically be issued to current HEAP recipients paying directly for heat, increasing the maximum regular HEAP benefit from $800 to $900. The
program expanded because New York State received a one-time increase in federal funding, making the total amount of funding $550.9 million for this year.
This program gives grants to eligible homeowners and renters to pay the cost of utilities, including heating oil and boiler or furnace repair. HEAP also provides emergency grants to families facing an energy emergency, such as inability to pay their bill and the gas heat being shut off. The funds may be used to pay electric bills as well as the costs of propane, natural gas, wood, oil, kerosene, coal or other heating fuel.
In December, Betsy Gotbaum included a posting on her blog with important information about how to access the Home Energy Assistance Program, including links to Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) pre-screening eligibility tool, a list of HEAP office locations, and a link to the HEAP application.
HEAP assistance is on a first come, first serve basis with a limited amount of funds per year. To find out how to apply for HEAP, call the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance at 1-800-342-3009 or visit their website at http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/default.asp
Regular HEAP benefits are based on income, the percentage of the income spent on heating energy costs, the primary fuel source and your housing situation. The emergency benefit of HEAP is available to low-income New Yorkers who are facing a heat or heat related energy emergency and do not have the available resources to meet their need. They are based on income, available resources, the number of household members and the primary fuel type.
For the full list of eligibility guidelines, visit OTDA’s website: http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/#income.
To contact the city’s Utility Assistance Program Heat Line, call 212-331-3150.
Or visit, http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/directory/heap.shtml
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