Heat benefits now open for Monroe County

Rochester, New York — In additional benefits through the federal ‘American Rescue Plan,’ the New York ‘Home Energy Assistance Program’ or HEAP was boosted by $500 million.

The New York Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income people with the cost of heating their homes.

Those who qualify for the program receive benefits toward heat bills and may also be eligible for emergency help if they are in impending danger of running out of energy or having their utilities shut off.

Ahead of winter, Congressman Joe Morelle was in Rochester on Saturday to outline how essential the money is to Monroe County.

“When we passed the ‘American Rescue Plan’ earlier this year, we made an investment to ensure no one is forced to choose between heating their home and putting food on their table,” Morelle said. “I encourage everyone who qualifies to take advantage of these additional funds, and I’ll continue working every day in Congress to make investments like this that ease the burden on hardworking families in our community.”

The HEAP program is accepting applications now until mid-march.

You can online or locally through the Monroe County Department of Human Services, Lifespan and the Catholic Family Center.