Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Despite a suffering economy, it looks like the government will be offering less when it comes to helping people cover their energy bills this winter.
The State should be getting final approval any day now from the Federal funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as
HEAP.In most cases, it’s going to be about $150 less per household than last winter. And it’s not the only change coming this season for HEAP recipients, but certainly the biggest.
It’s going to be hard to swallow for a lot of people who count on this money -- mostly seniors and low income families – and even though energy costs aren’t likely to go down, HEAP assistance will.
Under the base plan, anyone who heats their home with oil, kerosene or propane saw $600 in HEAP assistance last year. The year, under the State’s proposal, that aid will drop to $450.
If you use wood or coal, the reduction is even greater. Last year, HEAP assistance covered $600; this season, plan on only $250 in assistance.
People who have gas or electric heat were able to get $400 last year and this year they’re looking at only $250 in assistance.
Senator Chuck Schumer will fight for HEAP funding.
"I am going to be fighting along with others bipartisan, Democrats and Republicans from the Northeast and Middle West to increase that HEAP funding as we move on into the budget of next year. It's absolutely necessary,” Senator Schumer said.
Those are the basic benefit levels. Seniors and People with children under six will see slightly more. Nothing is official until the Federal government signs off on it, which should have happened by September 1.
For those who use up that assistance, they will be able to apply for emergency benefits a little later than usual. The State’s plan calls for delaying the opening of emergency benefit applications until January 3. Normally, it would be early December. Those who run into fuel or heat issues and have exhausted their HEAP benefit should call their local Department of Social Services. They may be able to provide assistance through another program.
The first application process is not expected to open until November 16.
