2024-2025 First and Second Emergency HEAP Benefit

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2024-2025 First and Second Emergency HEAP Benefit

The Heap department opens for EMERGENCY HEAP on Monday, January 2, 2025.

Everyone is feeling the pain of heating costs this year.

Make sure you check with your local HEAP department to see if you qualify for an emergency HEAP benefit.

The Home Energy Assistance Program

The Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as the HEAP program, helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes.

How does it work?

You must receive a regular HEAP benefit before you can qualify for emergency aid.

If you have not received a regular benefit, then go here to learn how to get that first.

If you have an impending danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off, you may also qualify for an emergency HEAP benefit.

Start by calling your local HEAP department and telling them you would like to apply for emergency HEAP.

They will ask you a few typical questions, like has anything changed since you received your regular benefit, household income, how many people and what ages are in the house, and how low you are on fuel.

It is really a quick and easy process, and definitely worth looking into with today’s prices.

Which Type of Fuel Source is Provided

HEAP typically works with the following energy sources:

• Electricity
• Natural Gas
• Oil
• Coal
• Propane
• Wood/Wood Pellets
• Kerosene
• Corn

Heating Source Repair and Replacement

If you are in need of a heating source repair or replacement, HEAP may be able to help you in that area too.

Call your HEAP Local District Contact to apply for Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefits.

Who is eligible to receive HEAP?

You may be eligible for HEAP. It is worth checking into this program to see if you do or not.

You could qualify if:

• You and the members of your household are U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals, or qualified aliens
• You have a valid Social Security number for each household member
• You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance, or Supplemental Security Income
• Your monthly household income is at or below the HEAP income guidelines.

Don’t just automatically think you don’t qualify.

You may be eligible for HEAP, even if you:

• • Own your home
  • Pay for heat as part of your rent
  • Have money in the bank, stocks, bonds, or other resources

HEAP Clean and Tune Benefit

Maybe you don’t need help with your fuel costs this year, but you could use some help with the costs of having a professional come in to give your furnace a nice clean and tune.

Make sure you check out the HEAP Clean and Tune benefit.

This benefit includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, and installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper, and efficient operation of the heating equipment.

Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $400.

What Do I Need to Sign Up for HEAP

• Proof of residency with one of the following:
• Rent receipt with address
• Copy of lease with address
• Water, sewer or tax bill
• Homeowner’s insurance policy
• Mortgage payment receipt
• Deed
• Utility bill
• A current fuel or utility bill, or a statement from your landlord that your heat and/or utilities are included in your rent.
• Recent pay stubs to provide proof of total current monthly income for all household members.
• For each person in your household you will need one of the following:
• Photo ID
• Driver’s license
• Birth certificate or baptismal certificate
• School records
• Passport
• Paperwork documenting a disability for anyone in your household

Emergency HEAP

Emergency HEAP is based on

• income,
• available resources, and
• the type of emergency

You May be Eligible for Emergency HEAP if:

• Your electricity is necessary for your heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off or
• Your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off or
• You are out of fuel, or you have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane or have less than a ten (10) day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or other deliverable heat source.

and

• Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
• You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
• You receive Temporary Assistance (TA) or
• • You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Alone and
• The heating and/or electric bill is in your name and
• Your household’s available resources are:
  • less than $2,000 if no member of your household is age 60 or older; or
  • less than $3,000 if any member of your household is age 60 or older.