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 October 2006 Back to Table of Contents Back to Archives Main Page Section: Arts & Letters Erie County Senior Services: A HEAP of Help *Public Hearing to be held November 8
With one out of five residents in Erie County over age 60, Senior Services seeks to promote the most efficient use of existing resources and to promote new and expanded benefits to the elderly. The public hearing is an opportunity to express opinions about priorities and needs. A draft version will be posted mid-October at www.erie.gov/depts/seniorservices or call 858-8544. Prior to the hearing, at noon, Stay Fit Lunch is served to any Erie County senior. Call 874-3266 to make your lunch reservation; $2.25 is the recommended donation. At 12:30 a brief update/overview of Medicare Part D prescription coverage will be held in anticipation of the open enrollment period for 2007. Senior and Disabled HEAP 2006-07 Eligibility Announced Erie County senior residents are invited to apply as early as possible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefit, a federally funded program designed to help seniors with the rising cost of energy. Due to the anticipated high cost of energy this winter, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance directly mailed HEAP applications in August to all senior citizen and disabled clients in Erie County who received HEAP assistance last season (Nov. ’05-May ’06). Senior citizens and disabled clients are strongly encouraged to apply for the upcoming winter before the HEAP assistance program opens to the public in November. Senior citizens and disabled clients who did not receive HEAP assistance last season may call the HEAP Hotline at 858-7870 and request an application. Eligibility guidelines are below. Household Size Monthly Maximum Income 1. $ 0 – 1,764 2. $ 0 – 2,307 3. $ 0 – 2,850 4. $ 0 – 3,393 5. $ 0 – 3,936 Apply Now Senior citizen and disabled applicants have this opportunity to complete and mail in applications as soon as possible, so that processing to heating companies may be started before the high volume of clientele expected in November begins. Applicants are encouraged not to wait until energy bills begin to climb in the middle of the winter. The amount received from HEAP is not based on the size of the utility bill but is based on monthly income; and the benefit may range from $40-$400. Applicants are also encouraged not to wait for new income information, such as yearly Social Security award letters, or yearly tax statements reflecting bank interest income for the year. The same income information provided on last season’s application is acceptable if it is the most current information available. If in doubt, applicants should always claim the lower of the two income amounts listed on Social Security award letters; the amount of Social Security received after the Medicare deduction. Because HEAP is based on monthly income, if the lower amount is not stated on the application, the benefit may decrease. HEAP encourages everyone to take care during the cold winter months. If more information or any assistance with HEAP applications is needed, seniors should not hesitate to call the Senior Citizen HEAP hotline at 858-7870. For more about services available through the Dept. of Senior Services call 858-8526, or visit www.erie.gov/depts/seniorservices. back to top back to table of contents Current Issue | About Forever Young | Where to Find | Advertise | Our Advertisers | Community Calendar | Contest | Clubs | Contact Us | Archives | Home |
