Frequently Asked Questions

The Erie County Department of Social Services assists non-English speaking clients by offering free language services, including utilization of qualified interpreters and information written in other languages.Full overview of language and other services offered by Erie County, Click Here.

HEAP calculates monthly wages using these formulas:

• Paid Weekly - (4 x Weekly gross)/4) x 4.4.333333
• Paid Bi-Weekly - (2 x bi-weekly gross)/2 x 2.1666666
• Paid Bi-Monthly - (add 2 gross pay amounts- no other calculation)

Countable (these are counted for Emergency HEAP resource test):

• Cash.
• Checking and/or savings account balances.
• Stocks/bonds.
• Time deposit certificates/
• IRA accounts, including remaining amounts from a closed-out IRA.
• Lump sums from sale of property or insurance settlements and balances from any other lump sum not specifically excluded.
• 401(k) and other retirement accounts.
• income tax refunds (except EITC) payments).
• Any other available funds not specifically excluded.

Excluded: (these are not counted for Emergency HEAP resource test):

• Amounts designated for an allowable current monthly living expense such as food, shelter, employment-related expenses, etc.
• Money earmarked for payment of the current year's prioperty and/or school taxes for the primary residence.
• One burial plot per household member.
• One written pre-arranged burial agreement with a cash value not exceeding $1,500 per household member and interest on the burial account.
• Accounts, such as PASS accounts, designated by the Social Security Administration as exempt from SSI resource limits.
• Real and personal property.
• Equipment.
• Automobiles and other vehicles.
• Payments from reverse annuity mortgages.
• Loans (including college loans, personal loans, home equity loans).
• Credit cards or advances from credit cards.
• Individual Development Accounts (IDA).