blogs.plos.org / creative commons
As the winter months approach, the drop in temperatures can mean a rise in your energy bill. New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is designed to help low- and middle-income residents pay for the cost of heating their home. If you meet certain eligibility and income guidelines, you can qualify for a benefit that will be paid directly to your heating vendor. Benefits can be as high as $600 for households that use certain kinds of deliverable fuel, and even households where heat is included in the rent can get around $25 paid to their utility company. Plus, HEAP will submit a referral to your utility company’s low income program, if you are eligible. Which means you’ll pay lower rates for your energy all year long. You can fill out the application online or print it here. Stay warm!