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Good afternoon AWS Service Providers,
The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs through their service providers. Please share the important information below with your clients and other agencies or individuals to empower them to make informed decisions.
As winter approaches New York City Emergency Management would like to remind our Advance Warning System Partners that the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is available to help people with low-income pay the cost of heating their homes. HEAP is funded by the federal government and is overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
The 2016-17 Regular HEAP benefit opened November 14, 2016. Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older, or permanently disabled. The 2016-17 Emergency HEAP benefit opens January 3, 2017. Emergency HEAP benefits and eligibility are based on income, available resources, and the type of emergency.
Households may also be eligible for an emergency benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off. Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Households facing an energy emergency should call their local Department of Social Services Local District Contact for assistance.
For more information on eligibility and applying for HEAP benefits click here.