As temperatures drop, concerns rise about the ability to affordthe high cost of heating our homes. That’s why Suffolk Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) wants to inform County residents about two programs that could provide assistance to those in need: the Federally-funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for low income and senior citizen households and the recently-restored Middle Income Home Energy Assistance Program (MI-HEAP) approved at the Legislature’s November 17th general session. “On Long Island many people are too poor to be rich, and too rich to be poor. It’s a terrible catch-22 that often leaves the hardest working residents in the County out in the cold,” he said.

Depending on their primary heating source, qualifying homeowners and renters can receive the regular HEAP benefit of $800 for oil, propane and kerosene and up to $585 for natural gas, electricity or wood. MI-HEAP will provide a supplemental onetime $500 benefit.

Eligibility for both programs is based on income and household size. A family’s gross monthly household income must be at or below the poverty standards set by New York State for HEAP and no more than 35% above that level for MI-HEAP. For example, annual income for a 4-person household cannot exceed $46,836 to qualify for HEAP or $63,240 for MI-HEAP. Last year, more than 25,000 Suffolk County households received assistance through HEAP. Even more will receive benefits this year thanks to MI-HEAP, which was sponsored by Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon).

Assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while available. More information is available by calling the HEAP hotline at (631) 853-8825 or senior citizens can contact the Office of the Aging’s HEAP hotline (631) 853-8326. Senior citizens, disabled residents and previous recipients will automatically receive applications by mail. Non-emergency new applications are now available for HEAP and can be obtained and completed in person at the Suffolk County Department of Social Services South West Center, located at 2 South 2nd Street in Deer Park, (631) 854-6684. For additional information, contact Department of Social Services Central Fuel Unit (631) 854-2368. Applications for MIHEAP will be available soon.