Michelle
12-13-2006, 10:42 PM
Vallone To Seniors: Be Sure To Get HEAP Heating $ Aid (http://www.qgazette.com/news/2006/1213/Senior_page/023.html)
Noting that the price of natural gas and other heating fuels continues to rise, and that some experts predict the hike could be 50 percent this winter, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. is urging seniors in his Astoria/Long Island City district and others to take advantage of the HEAP plan.
The plan is essential to seniors in low-income households because it helps to defray winter heating costs, Vallone noted.
Vallone reminds seniors that in order to be eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), they must meet at least one of the following qualifications: •Meet income guidelines.
•Be 60 years of age or older.
•Are the head of a household and receive Social Security disability
•Live alone or with a spouse only and receive Supplementary Security Income (SSI) Code A.
Grants are based on household size and income, Vallone explained, and residents who pay for utilities will receive a line of credit with their suppliers or vendors. Also, if utility costs are included in a senior’s rent, applicants will receive a direct payment.
Emergency heat-related assistance is also available, providing between $100 to $435 once per year to buy a minimum of a prospective 30 days of services. He explained that each household can receive only one HEAP grant each year.
The lawmaker said that applications to receive HEAP assistance are available at his office at 22-45 31st St., Astoria, between 23rd Avenue and Ditmars Boulevard, or by calling HRA HEAP at 1-800-692- 0557 or the city Department for the Aging at 311. Interested parties should apply immediately, because funds are limited.
Noting that the price of natural gas and other heating fuels continues to rise, and that some experts predict the hike could be 50 percent this winter, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. is urging seniors in his Astoria/Long Island City district and others to take advantage of the HEAP plan.
The plan is essential to seniors in low-income households because it helps to defray winter heating costs, Vallone noted.
Vallone reminds seniors that in order to be eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), they must meet at least one of the following qualifications: •Meet income guidelines.
•Be 60 years of age or older.
•Are the head of a household and receive Social Security disability
•Live alone or with a spouse only and receive Supplementary Security Income (SSI) Code A.
Grants are based on household size and income, Vallone explained, and residents who pay for utilities will receive a line of credit with their suppliers or vendors. Also, if utility costs are included in a senior’s rent, applicants will receive a direct payment.
Emergency heat-related assistance is also available, providing between $100 to $435 once per year to buy a minimum of a prospective 30 days of services. He explained that each household can receive only one HEAP grant each year.
The lawmaker said that applications to receive HEAP assistance are available at his office at 22-45 31st St., Astoria, between 23rd Avenue and Ditmars Boulevard, or by calling HRA HEAP at 1-800-692- 0557 or the city Department for the Aging at 311. Interested parties should apply immediately, because funds are limited.