Is your home heating bill more than you can handle? If you answered yes, don't worry because you are not alone. As the winter months approach and the economy shows no signs of an upturn, many New Yorkers cannot help but wonder how they will afford to heat their homes. The federal government has a grant program called the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which aids low-income households with their home heating costs and, in emergencies, can assist in the repair and/or replacement of your household furnace.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) distributes regular HEAP benefits based on income, the primary fuel source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older, or permanently disabled. A household may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year paid directly to the vendor that supplies heat.
Please note that the maximum gross monthly household income eligibility requirement for regular HEAP has been increased from the 2008-2009 income limits. The complete list of annual income limits are below:
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
| 1 | $2,030 |
| 2 | $2,654 |
| 3 | $3,279 |
| 4 | $3,903 |
| 5 | $4,528 |
| 6 | $5,152 |
| 7 | $5,269 |
| 8 | $5,386 |
| 9 | $5,503 |
| 10 | $5,620 |
| 11 | $6,029 |
| Each additional | Add $468 |
Also, if you already are on public assistance and/or received HEAP funding last year, you should already have received a letter explaining how to reapply for the 2009-2010 heating season. If you have not received this letter, you can apply online at http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/apply.asp or visit your local department of social services. As always, if you have any questions or concerns on this or any other state issue, please don't hesitate to contact me at either my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486, or my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632.