Emergency HEAP benefits and eligibility are based on income, available resources and the type of emergency. An applicant may be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if:
- Their electricity is necessary for their heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut off or scheduled to be shut off.
- Their electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut off.
- They are out of fuel. or have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane or have less than a 10-day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn or other deliverable heat source.
- Their income is at or below the income guidelines (listed below) or if they receive Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or Code A Supplemental Security Income.
- The heating or electric bill is in their name.
- The household's available resources are less than $2,500 and no member of the household is age 60 or older; or less than $3,750 and any member of the household is age 60 or older, or under the age of 6.
Click Here for the various parameters and thresholds related to the Emergency Benefit component.
Anticipated Emergency Heat and Heat-related Benefit Amounts for 2023-2024
Type of Emergency |
Amount |
| Heat Related Domestic (electric service required to operate heating equipment) | $185 |
| Natural Gas Heat Only | $400 |
| Natural Gas Combined With Heat Related Domestic | $585 |
| Electric Heat Combined With Heat Related Domestic | $585 |
| Non-utility heating fuel (oil, kerosene and propane) | $900 |
| Non-utility heating fuel (wood, pellets, coal, corn, etc.) | $635 |
Click Here for general application information related to Erie County HEAP.
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