HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ - 08 Cortland County Correspondence CORTLAND COUNTY
60 Central Avenue
Cortland NY 13045
Savannah Hempstead
Public Information Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 18, 2023
Savannah Hempstead, Public Information Officer
shempstead@cortland-co.org
607-753-5048
Cortland County Department of Social Services (DSS) Announces That the 2023-2024 Home Energy Assistance
Program (HEAP) Season is set to open on 11/1/2023!
Cortland, NY – Income eligible Cortland County residents can apply to receive assistance paying their heating bills
this winter beginning November 1st. You do NOT need to come into the DSS office at the County Office Building
to file an application!
A regular HEAP application can be made quickest and easiest online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or by calling (607)
428-5400 to have an application mailed.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded energy assistance program that helps with
heating bills, furnace repairs and, in some years, with summer cooling benefits and furnace maintenance.
Regular HEAP (opens on 11/1/2023 and projected until 3/15/2024)
• Eligibility for HEAP is based on income and housing situation. Individuals must either pay directly for
heating costs or pay rent that includes heating costs.
• Recipients of Temporary Assistance or SNAP will receive regular HEAP benefit automatically.
HEAP Emergencies (opens on 1/2/2024)
Those eligible for regular HEAP with a fuel emergency such as a power shutoff notice or less than ¼ tank of fuel can
apply for Emergency HEAP by calling (607)428-5400. Calls are returned within 24 hours. For urgent emergencies,
individuals should come to the DSS office.
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement
This program is available to help low-income homeowners repair or replace heating equipment to ensure it is
functional. The homeowner must reside in the home receiving the benefit. Those without heat need to come in and
complete an application to be seen that day. Others can call us at (607) 428-5400.
Individuals over the Age of 60
Individuals who are age 60 or over may contact the Cortland County Area Agency on Aging at (607)753-5060 to
receive an application and apply by mail.
Submitting Required Documentation Electronically!
Don’t make a trip back into the office to bring in the documentation you need to submit. There is a free mobile device
app, NYDocSubmit, which can be used to submit them electronically. Please visit https://www.cortland-
co.org/DocumentCenter/View/7997/NYDocSubmit---Quick-Reference-Card
There is also a paper document Drop Box outside the Main Entrance to the County Office Building.
For detailed information on all HEAP programs please visit our website at http://www.cortland-co.org/687/Home-
Energy-Assistance-Program-HEAP
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