ASSISTANCE PAYING UTILITY BILLS
How do I get Assistance from the Department of Social Services to prevent a shut off or restore service?
If you have a shut off notice you, or a friend that you designate, may take it to the County Department of Social Services (DSS) or HRA Center and apply for Assistance to Meet an Immediate Need. You can also telephone DSS or HRA, but this may not be as effective, especially if you do not have an open case. Check the box next to the words “Fuel or Utility Shut off” in of the Application. If your termination is scheduled within 72 hours (3 days), be sure to tell them that you have this emergency because the agency is required to interview you that day and to determine if you have an immediate need and how it will be met. You should receive a notice of Action Taken on Your Request for Assistance to Meet and Immediate Need.
HEAP
The HEAP program provides benefits to reduce energy burdens. See PULP’s web page on the HEAP Program.
If I have already received “Regular” HEAP, will DSS/HRA be able to assist me?
Yes. If you are HEAP eligible and have a shutoff notice or less than a seven day supply of fuel and cannot make alternative living or payment arrangements you are entitled to emergency HEAP for any heat related utility service.
If I am not eligible for or have already received HEAP and Emergency HEAP, or if the HEAP program is closed for the year will DSS/HRA be able to assist me?
You may be eligible for payment of up to the most recent four months unpaid utility bills. These do not have to be heat related utility bills. You must have no alternative payment arrangements, liquid resources, or alternative housing available.
Will I have to sign a repayment agreement?
If you do not receive SSI or Public Assistance and your gross income is less than the amount a household of your size received by a family on Public Assistance in your county, you will not have to sign a repayment agreement. If your income is above the Public Assistance “standard of need” you will have to sign a repayment agreement to pay the Assistance back within one year. This repayment agreement can be enforced as if DSS/HRA is an ordinary creditor. Also, future assistance may be denied if repayment is not up to date. One may be able to get better terms by entering into a Deferred Payment Agreement with the utility, based on your financial circumstances. Deferred Payment Agreements can be as low as $10 per month. See PULP’s Deferred Payment Agreements.
If I am already receiving Public Assistance, can I get assistance to prevent a utility shut off?
Yes, but you will probably be required to agree to a restriction of your fuel allowance and an amount to cover your electric bills, which will lower your monthly assistance for the future. You will also have to agree to a recoupment of the arrears.
If I am receiving SSI, can I get utility Assistance to prevent a shut off?
Yes. If you need assistance to restore service or prevent a shutoff DSS/HRA may pay up to four months of arrears accumulated in the last ten months if you have no funds to pay for the service. You will not be required to sign a repayment agreement and DSS/HRA will not be able to recover the repayment from your SSI.
RESOURCE MATERIALS
OTDA Energy Manual and HEAP Manual - 10-23-2007
OTDA Fair Hearing Decision of 10-19-2003 on Deferred Payment Agreements and 131-s Assistance.
PULP Answers Questions About HEAP and Public Assistance.
If you have a specific question about HEAP and Public Assistance, contact PULP.
For a sample of some detailed questions about HEAP and Public Assistance, and PULP’s answers, click here.
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