HEAP: Federal Government Helps Low Income With Heating Costs

Home energy costs seem to be rising every year. The problem is not everybody is in the financial position to be able to pay for their heating costs. This is where the HEAP program helps.

HEAP stands for Home Energy Assistance Program. It is a federally funded program that is administrated by each state. It is designed to help low income people meet their cost of home heating.

This season's program began in September of 2005 and will continue through March of 2006. Each state has different guidelines. Yet, the federal guidelines say that an applicant's total household income has to be at or below 175 percent of the federal fiscal year of 2005 poverty guidelines. Total income means the total income for twelve consecutive months.

If one wishes to see if they qualify, they can usually go to their local Job and Family Services to find out where their local HEAP office is located. Sometimes the HEAP office is stationed within an organization called Community Action. This is where the HEAP offices is located in the state of Ohio.

When you go to your local HEAP office you need to take your current heating bill, if you heat by electric, it would be your electric bill, if you heat by gas, it is the current bill you have with your gas company, etc. You also need to have all social security numbers of the people that live in your household, plus ninety days to twelve months worth of pay stubs or proof of income. If you currently have a disconnect notice and you qualify for HEAP help, they may be able to pay it for you, but don't wait until the last minute to go to your local office. Each office only takes a certain number of people per day and if you are making an appointment you should allow yourself a leeway of two weeks before your disconnect or they may not be able to see you in time.

If you aren't currently facing a disconnect, you can still go to your local HEAP office and see if you are eligible for a program called PIP. PIP stands for Percentage of Income Plan. Under this plan, qualified people has to pay a set percentage of their monthly income to their heating company, usually ten percent. Qualified people are still entitled to pay the total cost of their heating, but if they pay at least the PIP amount in the winter months, they can not have their heating source shut off. Once again, to see if you qualify for this program you must first apply for HEAP benefits.

Some states also offer a home weatherization program for qualified people. If one qualifies and owns the home they are currently residing, qualified people will come into the home and weatherized the home, at no cost. They could install more installation in your walls, seals cracks around your windows, check your heating vents for holes, etc. To see if your state offers this, you must check with your local HEAP office and if they do, you must apply.

If you have a disconnect notice that is immediate and you can not contact your local HEAP office and someone in your household has a medical condition that warrants, then by all means contact your local heating provider. They may be willing to work with you until you can get help from HEAP.

The federal government has allowed the HEAP program to offer qualified people more money this year since the cost of heating has rise.

So by all means if you need the help and think you may qualify, make plans to see your local HEAP office today. Winter has arrived and some areas of the US are going to be facing some really cold temperatures. Don't let your heating get shut off when you could get help.