With the days growing colder and the cost of heating fuels at all-time highs, many Long Islanders are left wondering how they will be able to afford to heat their homes this winter. Some of you may benefit from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HEAP helps lower-income seniors and families with their heating costs, so that they don't have to sacrifice essentials like food or medicine to heat their homes in winter. The program is currently taking applications.

HEAP provides grants for heating bills that range between $40 and $400, depending on household income, number of family members, living arrangements, heating expenses and the type of heat used. Both renters and homeowners can be eligible.

HEAP's Income Eligibility Guidelines for 2005-06 are as follows:

Household Size	Maximum Monthly Income	Maximum Annual Income
1	$1,803	$21,636
2	$2,358	$28,296
3	$2,913	$34,956
4	$3,468	$41,616
5	$4,022	$48,264
6	$4,577	$54,924
7	$4,681	$56,172
8	$4,785	$57,420
9	$4,889	$58,668
10	$4,993	$59,916
11	$5,273	$63,276
11+	$ +408 for each additional person

HEAP is a federally funded program, administered through the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and managed on a local level through the Nassau County Department of Social Services in Mineola. You can find out more information about HEAP by contacting the Department of Social Services at (516) 571-5584, by visiting the OTDA website at http://www.otda.state.ny.us or calling 1-800-342-3009.

This fall, I also supported a plan to create a "Senior Heat" program, which would provide $200 rebate checks to eligible senior citizen homeowners to offset the cost of home heating (those seniors approved for enhanced STAR school property tax rebates; at least 65 years old with an annual income of less than $64,650). I remain hopeful that this cost-saving measure will become law in the near future.

Hardworking families and vulnerable seniors need a break from soaring fuel costs. HEAP is designed to ensure that New Yorkers stay out of the cold.