Home Energy Assistance Program
Home Energy Assistance Program
If you need help paying your heating bills, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help. This federally funded program provides assistance to eligible customers. HEAP opened on November 2, 2020 and is based on the last four weeks of your income. HEAP is scheduled to close on Friday, April 30, 2021.
Grant amounts vary and will be provided only while HEAP funding remains available. The maximum Regular HEAP grant for customers that use natural gas to heat their home is $416. A family of four earning $60,226 or less may qualify for assistance this year. Apply early because funds are very limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. See the chart below to see if you qualify.
How to apply
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,610 |
| 2 | $3,413 |
| 3 | $4,216 |
| 4 | $5,019 |
| 5 | $5,822 |
| 6 | $6,625 |
| 7 | $6,775 |
| 8 | $6,926 |
| 9 | $7,077 |
| 10 | $7,277 |
| 11 | $7,378 |
| 12 | $7,755 |
| 12+ | Add $560 per person |
Emergency Benefits
You must have a shutoff notice to apply for the emergency HEAP benefit.
Beginning January 4, 2021, if you received a regular HEAP benefit, you may call or visit your county office to apply for a $350 emergency HEAP benefit. As of March 8, 2021, a second emergency benefit is available to eligible customers.
Callers should be prepared with their case number, Social Security number, utility account number, household income and resource amounts (bank account balance, etc.).
Statewide Low-Income Program
Customers who receive HEAP grants are also automatically enrolled in the Statewide Low-Income Program (SLIP), created to provide monthly discounts on gas delivery charges. The discount amount is based on the amount of the HEAP grant they receive.
Find your tier-based credit below, beginning on the next month’s gas bill*:
| Tier | SLIP Tier Description | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HEAP grant less than or equal to $350 | $3 |
| 2.1 | HEAP grant is equal to $385 | $3 |
| 2.2 | HEAP grant is equal to $381 | $17 |
| 3 | HEAP grant is equal to $416 | $28 |
| 4 | DSS Direct Voucher enrolled customers | $13 |
*SLIP credits may not exceed your delivery charges. Any excess will carry over to the next month’s gas bill. Recipients of emergency HEAP will receive the Tier 1 discount.