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Gillibrand Home Heating Assistance Clearinghouse
Home heating is a top concern of mine as we head into the winter months. As your Representative in Congress, I am working to ensure that our most vulnerable residents do not have to choose between food and heat this winter.
Below you will find a clearinghouse of information about programs to assist seniors and families with heating this winter. Making your home more energy efficient is often the most cost-effective way to reduce your energy bill. I have compiled helpful links and information about incentives, programs and tips for residents and business-owners to help lower your energy bill through simple weatherization and energy efficiency improvements.
What assistance is available to help me with home heating costs?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funding grant program that assists low income households with home energy costs. The State of New York operates the HEAP program through the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Services are provided in each county through the County Social Services Office and the County Office for the Aging.
HEAP funds are used for financial support to offset home energy costs as well as important weatherization projects to reduce energy consumption and to make homes more energy efficient.
You can also learn more about the program by visiting the websites below:
New York State Home Energy Assistance Program:
http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/default.htm
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/index.html
How do I know if I am eligible for HEAP Benefits?
HEAP eligibility is based on a variety of factors including income level, households with young children, elderly or disabled individuals. In order to determine eligibility, you should check with your County Social Services or Office for the Aging.
COLUMBIA COUNTY:
Columbia County Department of Social Services
25 Railroad Avenue
Hudson, New York 12543
(518) 828-9411
Columbia County Office for the Aging
325 Columbia Street
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4258
DELAWARE COUNTY:
Delaware County Department of Social Services
111 Main Street
Delhi, New York 13753
(607) 746-2325
Delaware County Office for the Aging
6 Court Street
Delhi, NY 13753-1066
(607) 746-6333
DUTCHESS COUNTY:
Dutchess County Department of Social Services
60 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
(845) 486-3250
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
27 High Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1962
(845) 486-2555
ESSEX COUNTY:
Essex County Department of Social Services
P. O. Box 811
Elizabethtown, New York 12932-0217
(518) 873-3446
Essex County Office for the Aging
P.O. Box 217 - 100 Court Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932-0217
(518) 873-3695
GREENE COUNY:
Greene County Department of Social Services
P. O. Box 528
411 Main Street
Catskill, New York 12414
(518) 719-3700
Greene County Department for the Aging
411 Main Street
Catskill, NY 12414
(518) 719-3555
OTSEGO COUNTY:
Otsego County Department of Social Services
197 Main Street
County Office Building
Cooperstown, New York 13326
(607) 547-1700
Otsego County Office for the Aging
Meadows Office Complex - Suite 5
140 Co Hwy 33W
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-4232
RENSSELAER COUNTY:
Rensselaer County Department of Social Services
1801 6th Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
(518) 270-3935
Rensselaer County Unified Family Services
Joseph W. Cybulski, Commissioner
Department for the Aging
1600 Seventh Avenue
Troy, NY 12180-3798
(518) 270-2730
SARATOGA COUNTY:
Saratoga County Department of Social Services
152 West High Street
Ballston Spa, New York 12020
(518) 884-4144
Saratoga County Office for the Aging
152 West High Street
Ballston Spa, NY 12020-3528
(518) 884-4100
WARREN COUNTY:
Warren County Department of Social Services
Warren County Municipal Center Annex
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, New York 12845
(518) 761-6300
Warren/Hamilton Counties Offices for the Aging
333 Glen Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 306
Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 761-6347
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
Washington County Department of Social Services
Washington Municipal Center
383 Broadway
Fort Edward, New York 12828
(518) 746-2300
Washington County CARES
Office for Aging and Disability Resources
383 Broadway
Fort Edward, NY 12828
(518) 746-2420
How do I apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program?
If you would like to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), you may apply by mail, in person at your local social services office, or over the internet depending on your situation. You may apply for HEAP:
By Mail
If you received a HEAP benefit last year and reside in the same county that your application was filed last year or if you are age 60 or older. Applications may be downloaded from the HEAP webpage. HEAP Applications for 2008-2009 will be available November 3, 2008.
In Person
In person at the local social services office in the county in which you reside. The contact information and address of the local social services office in the county in which you reside may be found on the HEAP webpage.
What do I have to bring?
Applicants should bring documentation verifying residence, household composition, income, vendor relationship and vulnerability. (i.e. Proof of age if a household member is under age 6 or age 60 or older, or proof of disability if permanently disabled).
How do I make my Home or Small Business more energy efficient?
Energy efficiency is often the most cost-effective way to lower your energy bill.
The average home in our region pays approximately $2,200 a year in energy costs. Of course, this estimate varies based on size of your home, energy usage, and a variety of things, but an energy audit can point to many simple and cost-effective ways to reduce your energy use and loss, and save money on your energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, the average energy efficient home in the 20th District can save on average more than $800 a year on energy costs.
Below you will find websites that can provide helpful tips on ways to help make your home more energy efficient, and start saving on your energy bills.
Energy Star Program
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
Home Energy Saver
The Home Energy Saver is designed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes.
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
This non-profit works to provide the up-to-date information you need to reduce energy use in your home.
Who do I contact for help making my home, business or farm energy efficient?
New York State has a strong energy efficiency assistance program through the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. These programs provide tax incentives, assistance and financing for both residents, small business owners, as well as farmers.
New York Residential Energy Efficiency Program
This link will provide you with information on tax credits, incentives and financing assistance to making your home or rental more energy efficient.
New York Small Business Energy Efficiency Program
The Small Business Energy Efficiency Program provides energy efficiency assistance through incentives for existing buildings and for new construction.
New York Farm Energy Efficiency Program
The Farm Energy Efficiency Program provides assistance, incentives and other funding opportunities to make your farm more energy efficient.
Each county has an organization that provides assistance and weatherization services for low-income and other residents. The eligibility for financial assistance is based on a variety of criteria, similar to the HEAP program. To learn more about the weatherization program and eligibility, please contact your county office listed below.
COLUMBIA COUNTY
Columbia Opportunities, Inc.
(518) 672-7268
DELAWARE COUNTY
Delaware Opportunities, Inc.
(607) 746-1690
DUTCHESS COUNTY
Dutchess County, CAA
(845) 452-1758 and (845) 452-1741
ESSEX COUNTY
Adirondack CAP, Inc.
Toll Free: 1(877) 873-2979
(518) 873-3207
GREENE COUNTY
Greene County CAA
518) 943-9205
OTSEGO COUNTY
Opportunities for Otsego, Inc.
(607) 433-0444
RENSSELAER COUNTY
Commission on Economic Opportunity for the Rensselaer County Area, Inc.
(518) 272-6012 Ext.289
SARATOGA COUNTY
Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council Inc.
(518) 587-3158
WARREN COUNTY
Warren-Hamilton Counties ACEO, Inc.
(518) 793-0636
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc.
(518) 746-2390
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