(Photo Source: Unsplash).
Press release provided by Cortland County Clerk of the Legislature Savannah Hempstead.
Income eligible Cortland County residents can sign up to receive assistance paying their heating bills this winter beginning October 1st. You do NOT need to come into the County Office Building office to file an application!
A regular HEAP application can be made quickest and easiest online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov. If you do not have internet access, please call at 607-428-5400 and we can mail an application to you.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded energy assistance program that aids with heating bills, furnace repairs and, in some years, with summer cooling benefits and furnace maintenance.
Regular HEAP (opens on 10/1/2021 and projected until 3/1/2022)
- Eligibility for HEAP is based on income and your housing situation. Individuals must either pay directly for heating costs or pay rent that includes heating costs.
- If you are in receipt of Temporary Assistance or SNAP, you will receive regular HEAP benefit automatically.
HEAP Emergencies (opens on 1/2/2022 and projected until 3/14/2022)
If you have a fuel emergency such as a power shutoff or less than ¼ tank of fuel, you can apply for Emergency HEAP over the phone by calling our office at 607-428-5400. We return calls within 24 hours. If you cannot wait, please come in for emergency help. You need to be eligible for regular HEAP. If you have not yet applied for regular HEAP, please do so through www.mybenefits.ny.gov.
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement
This program is available to help low income homeowners repair or replace heating equipment to ensure it is functional. The homeowner must reside in the home receiving the benefit. If you are without heat, you will need to come in and complete an application so that you can be seen that day. Otherwise, you can call us at 607-428-5400
Individuals over the Age of 60
Individuals who are age 60 or over, disabled or in receipt of Coda A SSI may contact the Cortland County Area Agency on Aging at 607-753-5060 to receive an application and apply by mail. If you have an immediate heating emergency, you can come into the agency for assistance.
Submitting Required Documentation Electronically!
Don’t make a trip back into the office to bring in the documentation you need to submit. There is a free mobile device app, NYDocSubmit, which can be used to submit them electronically. Please visit https://www.cortland-co.org/DocumentCenter/View/7997/NYDocSubmit---Quick-Reference-Card
There is also a paper document Drop Box outside the Main Entrance to the County Office Building.
For detailed information on all HEAP programs please visit our website at http://www.cortlandco.org/687/Home-Energy-Assistance-Program-HEAP
