LIHEAP
HEAP 2006-2007
Home Energy Assistance Program
Closing Date for HEAP and Emergency HEAP Benefits - 03-28-2007
2006-2007 HEAP FUNDING UPDATE - 02-09-2007
HEAP Needs Assessment Hearings - If you have any questions after reading the notice contact Charles J. Brennan at 1-800-255-7857 or by
e-mail at cjbrennan@pulp.tc
Funding Level of New York’s HEAP Program
Funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in New York is determined yearly by the Federal government which appropriates funding for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act (LIHEAA - 42 USC §§ 8621, et seq.). This national appropriation is distributed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the states, territories and tribes based on poverty population and heating and cooling day data. The latest word regarding federal funding for LIHEAA is preliminary since no legislation has been enacted. On July 18, 2006 the U.S. Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee set LIHEAP funding for FY 2007 at $2.161 billion, with $1.980 billion for the regular appropriation and $181 million for emergency contingency funds. This is $50 million more than the U.S. House Appropriations Committee provided in June, 2006. This is the same amount provided for FY 2006 before the $1 billion supplemental passed in March, 2006. Thus, it represents a $1 billion reduction from funding for 2005-2006 HEAP. If federal funding is finalized at the U.S. Senate level, New York’s share of HEAP dollars would be approximately $252 million dollars. Bearing in mind that New York is carrying forward some funds from 2005-2006 HEAP (@ $20 million) and will probably be awarded some “leveraged” funds for using HEAP dollars to access state funding (amount unknown), the State should have approximately $275 million to distribute during the 2006-2007 HEAP year.
Administration of New York’s HEAP Program
Under New York Social Services Law §97 (SSL §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, as required by SSL §97(5), 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 HEAP was operated exclusively with federal funds appropriated each year by Congress under LIHEAA. To obtain the federal grant funds, New York State submits an annual plan to 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 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, 2006. PULP estimates that between 2.2 million and 2.5 million New York households are financially eligible for HEAP. In the 2005-2006 HEAP year, approximately 1 million NY households received some form of HEAP assistance. This number is slightly higher than past years because of additional HEAP funding received from the federal in March, 2006 as a supplement to offset the increased cost of energy during the winter of 2005-2006. 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 2006-2007 (not as severe as 2005-2006 but incrementally just as serious), it is likely that the number of applications and recipients will increase substantially this year. Unless, there is a substantial infusion of HEAP funds, either from the State of the federal government, it is highly unlikely that New York’s HEAP will reach as nearly as many eligible households as it did last year.
The closing date of New York’s HEAP varies from year to year, depending on the amount of funding and the number of applicants. In the 2003-2004 HEAP year 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. Last year, both HEAP components, Regular and Emergency, stopped accepting applications on May 15, 2006. The furnace repair/replacement component remained operational until September 29, 2006.
At this point in time (November 1, 2006) it is unclear when OTDA will close 2006-2007 HEAP. LIHEAA requires that Emergency HEAP be available until March 15, 2007 at least. The 2006-2007 New York State HEAP Plan, as required by state statute, requires that the program remain open only so long as federal funds remain available for distribution to eligible applicants. Thus, depending upon the severity of the winter and the number of applicants found eligible, the regular component will close when it exhausts available funding which, in the past has been as early as April 15. Last year, before the infusion of federal dollars and the support of state supplemental funds (eventually repaid from the second federal appropriation) the prediction was that regular HEAP would exhaust program funds before the end of Februray, 2006. While that did not happen, it vividly demonstrates the potential for a very long winter for low income energy consumers.
Regular and Emergency HEAP
2006-2007 HEAP program began November 1, 2006. The PULP Winter Extra 2006-2007, when issued, will include 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 $440 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 the next year’s program. For the 2006-2007 HEAP year, as occasionally was the case in past years, the final date for applying for a regular or emergency benefit may be significantly earlier than in the 2005-2006 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
Federal Documents
Other Materials
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.
Household 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.
2005-2006 - May 15, 2006 Both Regular & Emergency HEAP
Sept. 29, 2006 for Furnace repair/replacement
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
Articles & Reports-
Funds for heating aid in state seem sufficient - Eligible recipients are urged to apply - Buffalo News - 02-015-2007
Bush's Budget Bodes Ill for WNY: Lawmakers Opposing Wide Cuts to Programs - Buffalo News- 02-06-2007
Aid Available for Senior Housing Costs - Auburn Citizen - 01-16-2007
Testimony of Charles J. Brennan on changes in HEAP Program - 12-08-2006
Low Income Energy Solutions - EnergyBiz Insider - 11-01-2006
LIHEAP Funding Push Is On - UPI - 10-17-2006
Natural Gas Prices Declining, but Winter Chill May Eat up Savings - Troy Record - 10-03-2006
A Pretty Cool Forecast: Utility Says Cost of Heating with Natural Gas Could Drop If Winter's Not Too Bitter - Times Union- 10-02-2006
Congress: Turn up the Heat: Heating Aid Program for the Poor Needs Full Funding, and U.S. Has to Automate Increases Based on Energy Costs - Newsday -10-02-2006
Heating Bill May Leave Ya in Red - Daily News - 09-28-2006
Natural Gas Supplies Up, Prices down - Kingston Daily Freeman-
09-25-2006
1 in 5 of City's Seniors Is Poor - Daily News - 08-30-2006
Impact of Heat Wave Made Much Worse by Lack of Home Energy Assistance Funding - PRNewswire - 08-04-2006
Important Links
Benefits Checkup - 10-10-2006
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