The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has been extended with Regular and Emergency benefits continuing to be available through April 30, 2021. A second Emergency HEAP benefit is also now available to eligible households who have exhausted both of these grants.

HEAP is a federally funded program that assists eligible customers in paying for their home energy needs. The maximum Regular HEAP grant for customers who use natural gas to heat their homes is $416. A family of four earning $60,226 or less may qualify for assistance. Grant amounts vary and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis only while HEAP funding remains available. HEAP eligibility is based on the last 4 weeks of income.

For more information, visit HEAPhelps.com or contact 1-877-443-2743. You can also visit the state’s website at www.mybenefits.ny.gov to apply for Regular HEAP online.

If you received a Regular HEAP benefit, you may call or visit* your county office to apply for a $350 Emergency HEAP benefit. For a list of phone numbers and addresses, visit HEAPhelps.com and click on “Find a HEAP office.” Second Emergency HEAP benefit amounts are the same as the first Emergency HEAP benefit amounts. *Please check with your local county HEAP office for in-person appointment availability.

To apply for an Emergency HEAP benefit:

• You must have a shut-off notice.
• Call your local county HEAP office with your National Fuel account number or social security number or HEAP case number.

In addition to HEAP, numerous programs are available to help individuals who struggle to make their payments. National Fuel encourages its customers to contact a customer assistance representative to discuss their situations. A quick call can provide information on the following programs: Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund is open year-round and helps qualified customers, aged 55 years or older, or have a certified medical condition, or are disabled, or are currently receiving unemployment benefits or are a veteran, to prevent an energy emergency; a Deferred Payment Agreement allows the potential to negotiate a repayment plan in the event of a problem or special circumstance; Special Protections is applicable for households where all residents are aged 62 years or older, 18 years or younger, blind or disabled. Customer assistance is available each weekday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. by contacting 1-800-365-3234. For customers who want to have level, predictable monthly gas payments this winter, National Fuel suggests budget plan billing as a way to stabilize monthly heating bills. For more information, please visit www.nationalfuel.com/utility/payment-assistance-programs.

As always, if you smell gas, leave fast! If a rotten-egg natural gas odor is present, leave the premises immediately and call National Fuel’s emergency line, 1-800-444-3130, from a different location. If you smell gas outdoors, call National Fuel’s emergency number and provide the address nearest to the site of the odor. To learn more about natural gas safety, visit www.nationalfuel.com/utility/gas-safety.