HEAP outreach extended in Erie County until April 8

NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has extended HEAP across the state, giving qualified applicants more time to apply

More residents encouraged to use community sites for applications

The Erie County Department of Social Services' Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, will continue to accept applications for regular benefits for the 2015-16 heating season after the New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance authorized an extension of regular HEAP benefits for New York residents who qualify. The regular benefit component had been scheduled to close this month, but will be extended until Friday, April 8.

"This extension is great news to the many families and individuals who are struggling with heating costs," Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said. "I encourage all residents who need the assistance to register as soon as possible."

Last winter, more than 1.4 million households in New York state, including 171,415 households in Erie County, received HEAP benefits.

Social Services Commissioner Al Dirschberger added, "The Erie County Department of Social Services and New York state have been working hard to allow residents the ability to apply online for public benefit programs. However, many residents are not computer literate or find the application process too difficult and intimidating. Thanks to a program started in partnership with the UB School of Social Work, we have been able to help over 250 families connect to the help that they needed. The graduate student interns are able to facilitate the online application process for the resident while also identifying other programs the resident should access."

For more information on applying for HEAP, call 716-858-7644, apply online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov, or ask for the community assistance intern at any of the locations below.

Graduate student interns will be available at the following locations, days and times:

For more information on the Erie County Department of Social Services, visit http://www2.erie.gov/socialservices/.