The federally-funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)—which helps income-eligible homeowners and renters meet home energy costs—opened in New York on November 16 for the 2011-2012 heating season.  Maximum monthly income cut-offs for HEAP are $2,146 for one person and $2,806 for a two person household.

The Broome County Office for Aging, P.O. Box 1766, Binghamton, NY 13902,accepts regularHEAP applications from Broome County residents who are age 60 or over and those under age 60 if permanently disabled and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability (SSD). 

•  If you received HEAP in 2010-11, applications have been already mailed to those aged 60 and over and the disabled.  If you received an application and have not yet returned it, fill it out completely and send it in as soon as possible to apply.
• If you did not receive HEAP last season and would like an application, leave your name and mailing address on the OFA HEAP message line at 778-2063. You can reach someone in person by calling 778-2411. 

All other Broome County residents need to contact the Department of Social Services HEAP office, 36-42 Main St., Binghamton, at 778-2638 to apply for regular HEAP. The Department of Social Services is the only place to apply for the Emergency Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program (for inoperable heating equipment) and for Emergency HEAP (which will open on January 3, 2012). All programs are scheduled to close on March 16, 2012.