OBSERVER Staff Report

Earlier this fall, National Fuel issued a warning for 11 counties across Western New York, has issued its winter heating season forecast: Prepare for significantly higher heating bills based on the rising cost of natural gas.

The company estimates that based on the current market prices, the average residential customer will pay $1,023 to heat their home this winter – November through March – with expected increases over last year hovering around 50%. Last winter saw natural gas prices begin to spike but the winter weather finished 10% warmer than normal so winter heating bills came in lower than anticipated.

For those in need of assistance, help is available. Applications for home heating assistance are now being received.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide assistance this winter to low- and middle-income households and senior citizens to help keep their homes warm and address high energy costs.

Applications for assistance are accepted online and at local departments of social services in person or by telephone.

According to chqgov.com, an online application “is the quickest and most efficient method for submitting your application. There is no need to come into the office. An interview will be conducted by phone.”

Funding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are accepted through March 15.

“We remain committed to ensuring our most vulnerable New Yorkers have access to assistance and programs that will help address rising costs for heating their homes this winter,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a press release. “The Home Energy Assistance Program is a vital lifeline for countless New York families, and I encourage all who are eligible to apply for these benefits which will provide much needed financial relief.”

Statewide last winter, nearly 1.7 million HEAP benefits were issued, the highest in at least the past five years.

In Chautauqua County, 15,618 benefits were issued last year. In Cattaraugus County, the number of benefits issued last year was 8,750. Similar demand for assistance is expected again this winter.

Eligible homeowners and renters may receive up to $976 in heating assistance, depending on their income, household size, how they heat their home, and if the household contains a vulnerable member. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,485, or an annual gross income of $65,829, and still qualify for benefits.

The value of the Regular HEAP benefits has been increased due the higher heating costs forecast for this winter. The benefit was increased 33 percent for households that heat with oil, kerosene, or propane; 21 percent for households that heat with wood, wood pellets, coal, or corn; and 14 percent for households that heat with electricity or natural gas.

HEAP is federally funded and overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Eligible households can receive one Regular benefit per season. New Yorkers who receive HEAP assistance this season and continue to fall behind on their utility bills or are running short on heating fuel may also qualify for a one-time Emergency HEAP benefit. Applications for Emergency benefits will be accepted starting Jan. 3.

“Higher heating costs this winter will threaten household budgets throughout New York. The Home Energy Assistance Program provides vital relief, especially for low-income working families, as well as senior citizens on a fixed income. I encourage anyone in need of this assistance to apply before the coldest weather sets in,” New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said in a press release.

Help is also now available for eligible homeowners if their primary heating equipment is unsafe or not operating and their furnace or boiler must be repaired or replaced. Benefit amounts through the HEAP Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program are based on the actual cost incurred to repair or replace the essential heating equipment — up to $4,000 for a repair and $8,000 for a replacement. The maximum amounts were also increased from last year, due to higher costs of labor and materials. Applications for HEAP Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement are accepted through Sept. 30.

Eligible homeowners can also now apply for a HEAP Heating Equipment Clean and Tune benefit to keep their home’s primary heating source working at peak efficiency. Applicants for these benefits should contact their local department of social services for more information. Applications for HEAP Heating Equipment Clean and Tune are also accepted through Sept. 30.