HEAP- Home Energy Assistance Program

General Information

The HEAP Office is located at 291 Pearl Street in the former Hens & Kelly Building. The entrance to the office is located at the corner of Pearl and Mohawk Streets, on the Mohawk side of the building. Individuals with mobility restrictions should enter the building at 478 Main Street and take the elevator down to the lower concourse.

Opening dates & office hours:

Both Regular HEAP Benefits and Emergency HEAP Benefits are available beginning on Wednesday, November 03, 2004.

Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Information for Senior Citizens:

If you are 60 years of age or older, or disabled, and received HEAP benefits during the 2003-2004 program season, an application will automatically be mailed to you either the last week of September, or during the first three weeks of October, 2004.

If you are 60 years of age or older, or disabled, and did not receive HEAP benefits during the 2003-2004 program season, you should call the Senior Citizen HEAP Hotline at 858-7870 to have an application mailed to you.

If you are 60 years of age or older, or disabled, and are in need of Emergency HEAP benefits because your service has been shut off or threatened to be shut off, you should report to the HEAP office at 291 Pearl Street, to complete an application and be interviewed.

A reminder that Emergency HEAP benefits, including furnace replacement and repairs, are available beginning on Wednesday, November 03, 2004. Also remember to bring the termination notice and a copy of your most recent utility bill with you to the interview.

Information for individuals who are currently receiving Temporary [Public] Assistance or Food Stamps:

All clients that are currently receiving temporary [public] assistance or food stamps will have their eligibility for Regular HEAP benefits calculated automatically. You do not need to come down to the Rath Building or 291 Pearl Street to apply for Regular HEAP benefits.

However, Emergency HEAP benefits are not calculated automatically. All clients that are currently receiving temporary [public] assistance or food stamps seeking Emergency HEAP benefits must report to the Rath Building at 158 Pearl Street, to complete an application and be interviewed.

Please note that Medicaid is not considered temporary [public] assistance and should not be included in the calculation of gross, monthly income totals in determining your eligibility for Emergency HEAP benefits. If you have questions about HEAP or would like to verify your eligibility, you should call your temporary assistance or food stamp worker first.

If your household income is within the guidelines for HEAP assistance, then bring all necessary verification with you to the HEAP office at 291 Pearl Street to complete an application and be interviewed.

If you are unable to speak with your worker, then you should call the HEAP Hotline 858-7644 to speak to a HEAP representative and they will verify your eligibility.

Income Guidelines 2004-2005



The following information is for individuals who do not currently receive Temporary [Public] Assistance or Food Stamps and are considering applying for HEAP benefits.



The maximum, gross monthly income limits for the 2004-2005 HEAP season are as follows:

Household of 1 [one] person: $1,702.00
Household of 2 [two] people: $2,226.00
Household of 3 [three] people: $2,749.00
Household of 4 [four] people: $3,273.00
Household of 5 [five] people: $3,797.00
Household of 6 [six] people: $4,320.00
Household of 7 [seven] people: $4,419.00
Household of 8 [eight] people: $4,517.00
Household of 9 [nine] people: $4,615.00
Household of 10 [ten] people: $4,742.00
Household of 11 [eleven] people: $5,140.00

A reminder, these maximum income totals represent gross, monthly income.

What to bring to your interview

If you meet the income guidelines, you will be required to provide the following information at your HEAP interview:

You must provide proof of income for all members of your household. You may use pay stubs for proof of income for each household member. Be sure to bring pay stubs for the most recent four [4] weeks of work. You must also provide proof of any child support, alimony checks, bankbook/dividend interest statements, SSI income, veteran's benefits, pensions, worker's compensation/disability, verification of unemployment insurance, education grants/loans or any other income sources.

The head of household must prove where the family is currently living. You may use a rent receipt with name and address, a deed, copy of a lease, mortgage payment book, homeowners insurance policy, water, sewage or tax bill that shows your current address.

You must also bring one of the following items to your interview: a Social Security card, driver's license, birth certificate, school records, marriage certificate or baptismal certificate. The item you choose to bring with you to the interview must be the original document. Photo copies will not be accepted and you must provide an original document for each member of your household.

If your household income is within the guidelines for HEAP assistance, then bring all necessary verification with you to the HEAP office at 291 Pearl Street to complete an application and be interviewed.

http://www.erie.gov/depts/socialservices/heap.asp