New York State’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will open for the season on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

HEAP provides assistance to help low-income and elderly New Yorkers keep their homes warm in the winter months.

“With heating oil prices significantly higher than a year ago, HEAP is providing vital assistance to the many individuals and families who may have difficulty affording the cost of heating their homes this winter,” said State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Executive Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Berlin.

HEAP is a federally-funded program administered through OTDA to help eligible households in meeting their home energy needs.

St. Lawrence County HEAP administrators have warned that the amount of money allocated to HEAP programs around the country will be significantly lower than last year. That will mean lower levels of support and a higher bar for eligibility.

The county has said that the amount of money coming to the state is much lower this year, about $250 million, less than half of what the state got last year, $534.4 million.

This winter, the maximum regular HEAP benefit a household can receive is $500, OTDA says. Last year, the county says such payments were typically between $600 and $700.

Eligibility is based on income and household size. For example, a family of four can have a household income of up to $49,519 annually and still qualify for a HEAP benefit.

Income eligible households in New York can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for an emergency benefit if they are in impending danger of running out of fuel or having their utility service shut off. Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted beginning January 3, 2012.

“We know that tens of thousands of households, including some of our most vulnerable residents, count on HEAP to help them get through these difficult months,” Berlin said. “This program will once again provide some relief for low-income working families, as well as senior citizens who are on a fixed income.”

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as HEAP benefits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. March 16, 2012, will be the last day for accepting applications for regular HEAP benefits.

Any questions about HEAP can be directed to the county’s HEAP Unit at 379-2303, or email at heapoffice@co.st-lawrence.ny.us or heapoffice@stlawco.org. \

If you need an application, you should call 379-2303 on or after Nov. 16. All applicants may apply this year through the mail. In addition to HEAP applications being available at the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services in Canton, applications are expected to be available at Catholic Charities in Ogdensburg, St. Vincent de Paul Society in Massena, the Neighborhood Center in Gouverneur, and the mybenefits.ny.gov website.

New York residents can also check to see if they may be eligible for HEAP, and numerous other benefits, by answering a few questions privately online at myBenefits.ny.gov.