The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that assists low income households in meeting the high costs of heating. As winter approaches, many Western New Yorkers will face rising heating bills. My office can assist you with questions you may have about applying for aid from this program.

The program is structured in a way that higher benefits are provided to those households that have a larger percentage of their income spent on energy costs, contain a vulnerable individual and have the lowest income. Vulnerable individuals are defined as children under the age of 6, adults aged 60 or older, or disabled individuals.

If you need help applying for assistance, please check the sites below, or contact Jeffrey Sheridan at (716)-853-5813.

• NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance:
  http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/default.asp
• Erie County Department of Social Services:
  http://www.erie.gov/depts/socialservices/heap.asp
• Monroe County Department of Social Services:
  http://www.monroecounty.gov/hs-assistance.php
• Niagara County Department of Social Services:
  http://www.niagaracounty.com/socialservice/heap.asp
• Orleans County Department of Social Services:
  http://orleansny.com/HumanServices/DepartmentofSocialServices/tabid/150/Default.aspx