LIHEAP
HEAP 2005-2006
Home Energy Assistance Program
Update on Additional State HEAP Benefits - Due to a January 2006 state appropriation of $100 million to supplement the federal program, additional emergency benefits are available to eligible households, including those who previously received HEAP emergency grants this winter.
As discussed below, the additional state funding is being used to provide additional Emergency HEAP benefits to eligible households.
Households eligible for the additional payment include those with a disconnection notice, or whose utility service is now disconnected, due to non payment of heat related utility bills.
Also, households running out of delivered fuels (oil, propane, kerosene, wood, etc.), or who have run out of fuel due to non payment of bills, are eligible for additional Emergency HEAP benefits. Under the new state legislation which supplements the federal LIHEAA funds with State
funds, the state funds cannot be spent after April 15, 2006.
At recent hearings, it was unclear whether OTDA intends to spend the entire $100 million supplemental appropriation, and that the supplemental grants could be limited so that the appropriation will not be sent before the April 15 statutory deadline. PULP has made a Freedom of Information Law Request for further clarification and details regarding administration of the supplemental funds.
An application form for HEAP is available at the ODTA website.
The PULP Winter Extra contains detailed eligibility information about the 2005-2006 HEAP Program. It was published, however, before the state legislature appropriated additional funds for the program. If you have any questions about eligibility for HEAP that are not covered here, contact PULP at 1-800-255-PULP (7857) or by e-mail to info@pulp.tc.
Funding Level and Administration of New York’s HEAP Program
As of early February, 2006, New York State’s allotment of federal LIHEAA funds was $263 for the 2005-2006 HEAP year. This is a $15 million reduction from the prior year’s level of funding.
Under New York Social Services Law §97, the Legislature allocates the federal LIHEAA funds to the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) for administration of energy assistance grants to eligible households. Some of these funds are reallocated by OTDA to the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) for administration of low-income household weatherization assistance, and t the state Office for the Aging (OFA) for outreach and referral activities to assist elderly households.
Under New York Social Services Law §97, the Legislature allocates the federal LIHEAA funds to the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) for administration of energy assistance grants to eligible households. Some of these funds are reallocated by OTDA to the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) for administration of low-income household weatherization assistance, and to the state Office for the Aging (OFA) for outreach and referral activities to assist elderly households.
Until the 2005-2006 year, New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) was operated exclusively with federal funds appropriated each year by Congress under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Act (LIHEAA). To obtain the federal grant funds, New York State submits an annual plan to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demonstrating the state’s compliance with minimum federal statutory criteria, outlining the details of how New York’s share of the funds will be spent. In general, the eligibility criteria for HEAP assistance are set by the State.
The New York State office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) conducts a public needs assessment process each year to inform policy makers of the energy needs of low income households before a plan is drafted. Then, public hearings are held to receive public input on the draft State plan before it is submitted for federal review and approval.
The HEAP Program (Regular HEAP) opened on November 1, 2005. PULP estimates that more than 2.2 million New York households are financially eligible for HEAP. In the 2004-2005 HEAP year, approximately 900,000 NY households received HEAP. Because New York’s HEAP program funds are limited, the program usually closes in the springtime. Given the anticipated energy cost increases in the winter of 2005-2006, it is likely that the number of applications and recipients will increase substantially this year, even with the comparatively warm early winter weather. New York typically carries forward approximately $20 million in federal program funds that are unspent when the program closes in the spring to fund the start of the next winter’s program which usually begins in November.
The closing date of the program varies from year to year, depending on the amount of funding and the number of applicants. in 2004-2005 applications for regular HEAP benefits were accepted through April 23, 2004 and applications for emergency HEAP benefits were accepted through May 21, 2004. In 2004-2005, the Regular HEAP Program closed May 13, 2005 and the Emergency HEAP Program closed May 27, 2005.
OTDA has indicated that this year’s program may close as early as April 15, 2006.
Some utilities may have reduced termination of service for non payment during cold weather months this year, so there may be a surge of increased utility termination activity as the winter weather ends. Many of these emergencies may not be addressed with HEAP assistance if the program closes April 15. As a result, tens of thousands of utility shutoff emergencies may need to be addressed by other less effective means, for example, loan assistance to households under the state and county funded SSL 131-s program.
Regular and Emergency HEAP
New York 2005-2006 HEAP program began November 1, 2005. The PULP Winter Extra 2005-2006 includes a more detailed explanation of the eligibility rules and the household income eligibility guidelines.
New York’s home energy assistance program has two major components, “Regular HEAP,” and “Emergency HEAP.” As the names suggest, eligible households can receive a “Regular HEAP” payment by meeting household eligibility requirements, whether or not they pay separately for their heat or face a termination of heat related energy service. Regular HEAP payment amounts may range from $40 to $400 depending on household factors.
HEAP eligibility (and eligibility for certain other income-tested benefit programs) may qualify natural gas, electric, and telephone customers for utility low income rates that may reduce utility costs by more than $200 per year. Accordingly, households eligible for benefits should be encouraged to apply for Regular HEAP benefits, even if the benefit level seems comparatively small.
The “Emergency HEAP” program provides for additional crisis assistance payments needed to avert a heat-related emergency, and includes a limited furnace repair and replacement program.
The Early Applicant Gets the HEAP Benefit. Some households automatically receive HEAP benefits because they are identified as eligible for HEAP from records maintained or accessed by OTDA or HRA and as having a “vulnerable” member of the household. All other regular and emergency HEAP benefits are awarded on a first come, first served basis to those who apply but only for so long as funds are available. After the closing dates, noted above, HEAP benefits, with the exception of furnace repair and replacement, were unavailable until the opening of this year’s program. For the 2005-2006 HEAP year, as occassionally was the case in past years, the final date for applying for a regular or emergency benefit may be significantly earlier than in the 2004-2005 HEAP year. Obviously, the sooner one applies for a HEAP benefit, the more likely that benefits will be available.
Applying for Household Benefits. Applications are taken at all County Social Services Offices In addition, county offices for the aging and other community outreach programs provide application forms and application assistance, including special provisions to accommodate disabled and housebound applicants. The state OTDA HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 provides information about the program and where to apply. Persons whose applications are denied receive written notice of the reasons from the department of social services and an opportunity for a hearing and review by the state OTDA
Frequently Asked Questions
PULP responds to Questions About HEAP. If you have questions about the New York HEAP program contact PULP. Also, the OTDA website has information about the HEAP Program.
Resource Materials for Advocates
Utility Ratemaking To Meet the Needs of Low- and Fixed Income New Yorkers - PULP - 9-2004
Heating Fuel Emergencies -- Regulations for Non-Utility Energy Providers
OTDA Energy Manual - 11-6-2003
HEAP Manual
96-ADM-9 - This Administrative Letter advises counties on how to implement the emergency utility arrears repayment program. Counties must first consider eligibility for HEAP before providing assistance to this program for persons not eligible for regular public assistance. In contrast to HEAP, this state and local program requires applicants to sign an agreement to repay the county for utility arrearage assistance.
State HEAP Regulations
NY Social Services Law 97 - The Home Energy Assistance Program
Federal Documents
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act - 11-03-2003
Federal Regulations for State Programs Under LIHEAA - 11-03-2003
Other Materials
Trends in Typical Residential Electricity Bills
Trends in Typical Residential Natural Gas Bills
Trends in Funding for New York State HEAP Program
Poverty in the United States: 2002, U.S. Census Bureau Sept. 2003. New York State 14% average poverty rate over the past 3 years is exceeded only by Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
Households with Zero Net Worth, Corporation for Enterprise Development This net worth measure provides a way to describe the intensity of asset poverty. According to this report, 23.77% of New York households had zero or negative net worth in 1996, ranking 50th (last) among all states. 11-4-03
Funding History of National Low-Income Energy Programs 1977-2003, LIHEAP Clearinghouse - 11-03-2003
HEAP Program Closing Dates - The closing date of the program will depend on the amount of funding, and the number of applicants. The amount of funding for the 2003-2004 HEAP year is still being considered by Congress. National Community Action Foundation Memo on HEAP Funding Legislation - 12/04/03
Closing dates in recent years were as follows:
2004-2005 - May 13, 2005 for Regular HEAP
May 27, 2005 for Emergency HEAP
2003-2004 - April 23, 2004 for Regular HEAP
May 21, 2004 for Emergency HEAP
2002-2003 - April 23, 2003 for Regular HEAP
May 2, 2003 for Emergency HEAP
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