Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Introduction
Department for the Aging
2 Lafayette Street
New York, New York 10007-1392
Herbert W Stupp, Commissioner
December 5, 1996
The New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) is pleased to
announce the start of the 1996-l997 HEAP season. The Home Energy
Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally-funded benefit which
provides assistance to eligible seniors and low-income families
with the cost of heating their homes.
The Department for the Aging is responsible for certifying HEAP
eligibility for individuals 60 years of age and older, SSI
recipients living alone or with a spouse only (Code A), and
persons who are heads of households receiving Social Security
Disability. In the past, your office has joined our City-wide
effort to reach eligible older New Yorkers. Your assistance again
this year would be appreciated. I am enclosing materials which
will bring you up-to-date on the HEAP XVII regulations and may
assist your staff in responding to inquiries from persons in your
area who may be interested in the program.
The 1996-1997 HEAP Program maintains last year's requirements
regarding the way benefit amounts will be determined. The base
benefit for renters continues to be only $40 or $50 despite the
advocacy efforts of Mayor Giuliani and the Department for an
increase (75 percent of our HEAP clients are renters). Clients
who pay directly for gas and electricity but not for heating will
have a base benefit mailed directly to their utility vendor. If
gas, electricity, and heating costs are included in the rent, a
base grant will be mailed directly to the client.
In either case, the benefit amount of $40 or $50 is determined by
household size and income. New Yorkers who pay directly for
heating their homes will receive a benefit based on a point
system, with each point valued at $45. A maximum of seven points
may be awarded based on household income and size, energy burden,
and the presence of a vulnerable person in the family, defined
as: a child under 6 years old, a senior 60 years or older, or a
disabled person.
Income eligibility guidelines have been minimally changed for the
1996-1997 program year. The maximum allowable monthly income by
household size is shown in the attached HEAP GUIDELINES. As with
last year's regulations, recipients of Public Assistance or Food
Stamps are categorically eligible for HEAP. However, only
households that include a vulnerable person, and are enrolled in
these programs as of December 30, 1996 will receive an automatic
base grant. Persons under 60 years of age who are enrolled after
that cut-off date will need to file a HEAP application with the
Department of Youth and Community Development. Those 60 and older
should apply through the Department for the Aging. Individuals
enrolled in the SSI Code A Program as of October 30, t996 will
also receive an automatic grant. Those joining the program after
that period, regardless of age, should file a HEAP application
through the Department for the Aging.
Individuals 60 and older, who received a HEAP grant in the 1995-1996
HEAP season, will automatically receive an application by
mail by the end of January 1997. Only those seniors who for some
reason have not received an application by that time should
request one by calling the Department for the Aging at (212) 442-1000.
Only one application should be submitted per household
since only one grant is paid, and duplications slow down our
certification process and cause payment delays.
I am enclosing a copy of the HEAP application, instructions, mail-
in envelope and HEAP flyer. The flyer is also available in
Spanish, Creole, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. The HEAP
"Important Notice About Energy Costs" is State-mandated and must
be distributed with applications to clients who pay directly for
heating costs. The State mandated "Application Rights" notice
should be distributed with all applications. All HEAP related
materials are available in quantity from the Department and may
be obtained by calling (212) 442-3026.
The Department for the Aging's Information and Referral staff,
located at 2 Lafayette Street, 6th floor, can assist seniors in
completing their applications. Although we cannot station staff
in field offices this year, we will continue to be present at
major community events for seniors to provide information and to
assist with applications. Once again, this year, we will be
providing HEAP trainings to local service providers interested in
assisting seniors with applying for benefits. We have found this
to be a successful mechanism to expand our outreach efforts.
Staff interested in attending a training, may call (212) 442-3026
for their location and schedule.
We realize that, as in the past, many elderly households will
turn to your office for information or assistance with HEAP
applications. Your ability to respond will assure that needed
funds will reach low-income elderly in your community this winter
season.
Thank you for joining in this effort on behalf of older New
Yorkers.
Sincerely,
Donna Tessito
Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Senior Assistance & Benefits
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