An article in today's paper describes the latest "HEAP outreach" to get more people added to the energy and gas assistance plan.

I did some research on the plan and found some information about HEAP online, as well as the HEAP plan for 2007-2008.

Apparently anybody who receives food stamps is eligible, anybody whose family makes 60% of the state median income or less (in 2004 for a family of four it was ~40k), any family with people on food stamps, etc etc etc.

There are complicated formulas to determine the monthly benefit (pg 13-14).

What I find interesting is the program started in 1981 in response to the OPEC embargo. Why did the program get continued if it was supposed to be a temporary fund? Also, are food stamps and medicaid expenses counted as income for the purpose of this program? For example, a $300 a month heating bill may not be such a big deal if a family is having all their food provided for, transportation, as well as medical expenses, etc etc. What happened to setting the thermometer to 62 and wearing sweaters? There also appears to be no directive for discontinuing assistance after a set period of time. Does this mean a person is actually "encouraged" to remain below the income levels/unemployed or work off the books for an extended period of time, or life, just to remain on food stamps/benefits? Do programs like this breed dependency and continue the cycle of poverty?

Discuss away.