Keep Heating Bills From Burning Wallets

Temperatures are dropping as fall turns to winter, which means many Half Hollow Hills residents will see their heating bills rise.

To keep energy costs from burning pockets and help those who face difficulties in warming their homes, Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern (D - Dix Hills) is urging eligible residents to sign-up for Home Energy Assistance Program benefits.

“I encourage residents to apply for HEAP benefits as soon as possible,” Stern said.  “This program provides needed assistance so that our neighbors do not have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table.”  

Eligibility guidelines are listed below:

Persons in Family or Household

NYS HEAP Monthly Income Guideline

1

$2,146

2

$2,806

3

$3,466

4

$4,127

5

$4,787

6

$5,447

7

$5,571

8

$5,695

9

$5,818

10

$5,942

Applications can be downloaded from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance at http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/. For additional information, please contact the Department of Social Service’s HEAP Hotline at 631-853-8326.

Those over 60 or those under 60 who are receiving Social Security Disability or who are under 60 and receiving Supplemental Security Income Code A may apply for HEAP benefits through the Suffolk County Office for the Aging. For additional information, please contact the department at 631-853-8825.

For emergency assistance with heating or utilities, please contact the Department of Social Services at 631-853-6684. For heating and utility emergencies after business hours and on weekends, please call the emergency hotline at 631-854-9100.