FEDERAL GOVERNMENT "HEAPS" EXTRA FUNDS ON COUNTY

Mike McCagg

ccSCOOP News

02-17-10 - 11:15 a.m. - The federal government is heaping funds into Columbia and other counties after a surge of requests for assistance in paying heating bills has depleted coffers. Social Services Commissioner Paul Mossman told ccSCOOP earlier this month that the Columbia County will make use of additional funding to address an approximately 18 to 20 percent increase in requests for assistance. As ccSCOOP reported in early January, requests for heating assistance through the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) spiked late in 2009 as a consequence of a combination of early bitter cold, the depressed economy, and increased federal solicitations for the public to take advantage of the program. The county's 18 to 20 percent increase in requests for assistance is outpacing the state average of a 15 percent increase, according to statistics provided by the governor’s office.  Mossman said the county processed 2,060 requests for HEAP assistance last winter.

The requests for assistance continued at a frenetic pace during January 2010, draining the federal funds for the program. Late in January, federal officials released of an additional $450 million in HEAP funds --$45 million of that allocated to New York State, a state official said.

Senator Charles Schumer said in a prepared statement that "a record number of families and seniors are in need of heating assistance this winter across the state." He called the HEAP program an "essential safety net for low-income families and seniors in need of heating assistance."

While Mossman said he is not aware of how much specifically will be allocated to the county, he did say the new funding would double the county's budget for administering the program. "They added about $88,000 to go with the $79,000 we had already received for administering the program," he said.

HEAP funds traditionally assist homeowners and renters who qualify in paying their heating costs. For example, a single person who makes less than $2,030 a month would qualify for aid. A family of four with a combined monthly income of less than $3,903 also qualifies. Recipients can receive up to $800 for the winter to help pay for energy costs. The program also provides emergency funds for “emergency deliveries” of heating oil and new furnace installations.

Mossman told ccSCOOP that the quick action by federal officials to replenish the state and local HEAP coffers was not unexpected. "We've never had a real issue with the feds coming up with HEAP funds," he said.