By CRAIG FREILICH

St. Lawrence County will probably get less money for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for low-income people this winter, but whatever is allocated might go farther because of lower fuel prices.

“The state has not yet identified the actual cutoff dates for the regular and emergency HEAP benefit applications, but has indicated that the ability to apply for Emergency HEAP benefits may end March 16,” said Bobbie Bessette, who runs the county’s HEAP program for the county Department of Social Services. It is possible that the application period for regular HEAP benefits would end sooner.

But even with a reduction in federal funding this year, Bessette said whatever is ultimately allotted to St. Lawrence County could go further this year because fuel prices are down substantially this winter, in some cases approaching a dollar a gallon less. And this winter got off to a warmer start this year than last year.

The warmer weather in November and December coupled with the lower fuel prices could also be a reason that pending applications for assistance were down as of last month from last year.

“The state also sent earlier letters to many of the applicants and released some of the HEAP money earlier than last year,” said Bessette. “Also, we believe that the warmer weather in November and December, and the reduced fuel prices have slightly reduced or delayed the number of applicants a little.” Kerosene and fuel oil prices have dropped approximately 80 cents per gallon.

St. Lawrence County Commissioner of Social Services Chris Rediehs said three reasons could account for the reduction in the number of early applications: “warmer weather, lower fuel prices, and a slight reduction in the number of people applying for help.

“That third reason is really related to the first two. The slight reduction in the number of people applying for help so far is probably mostly related to... the warmer weather and lower fuel prices.”

The cold snaps in January prompted thousands of telephone calls a day to the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services from low-income people looking for help with heating their homes and other needs, so the numbers of applications this season are likely to have risen.

But in spite of that the process has been a little smoother for Bessette and applicants this year.

“We may not have a firm idea why these pending applications were down … but we have been able to make some adjustments in the processing that have for example reduced the need of many HEAP applicants to make as many calls to the department this year,” she said.

In 2014, a total of $6 million in Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) funding was channeled to counties through the state government.

There is no way to make an accurate guess at what this year’s total allocation to the county will be because the funding is not parceled out to counties beforehand, but all comes out of a pool that is drained over time and ends when it is empty, according to Bobbie Bessette, who runs the county’s HEAP program for the county Department of Social Services.

Last year, “The total amount of funds that would be available was not known until after the state ended the application periods,” Bessette said, and the same will hold true this year.

“When the state recognizes that the federal money available for HEAP is running low, the state informs the counties that the application periods are ending. While there is not a specific allocation or limit on what could be dispensed, the reduced federal funds have meant that application periods are likely to be shorter than last year, or at least not longer, and the total benefits will likely be less than last year,” she said.

The telephone number for HEAP help is 379-2303, but Bessette is asking for patience as there could still be long wait times before people can get through.

“People are struggling to get through winter, paying their bills and staying warm, and the need for HEAP benefits right now is very strong” at the moment, Rediehs said.

“We know people are trying to balance their needs, many of which are related to each other. They’re struggling to get by with a limited amount of money. They’re having to make choices between things like rent, food and heat.”