Do you have your fuel budget plan in place to make it easier for you to keep your home warm this winter? Are you, or someone you know, on a fixed income that makes heating your home a challenge? Are you worried as to how you're going to make it through this winter?

You could benefit from Heap, or the Home Energy Assistance Program for this upcoming winter. This program helps thousands of individuals and families throughout the Hudson Valley whether they heat by electricity, natural gas, oil, coal, propane, etc. If you received a HEAP benefit check last year, you will automatically receive an application in the mail this year.

149492939
Konstantin Gushcha
Thinkstock
loading...

But what if you are new to this, here’s what you need to know. HEAP is an income eligibility program, which means there are guidelines as to who is eligible to receive help. Applications for all of these programs will be available beginning Monday, November 13. To find out if you qualify, simply call your local Office of the Aging.  Albany County:  (518) 447-7323; Columbia County: (518) 828-9411; Dutchess County: (845) 486-3249; Greene County:  (518) 719-3700; Orange County: (845) 291-2002; Putnam County: (845) 808-1500; Sullivan County: (845) 807-0142; and Ulster County: (845) 334-5436.

Plus, if you are a Central Hudson Customer, you could receive additional benefits through the Bill Discount Program for HEAP recipients.  This credit is part of a statewide collaborative with Central Hudson and could range anywhere from $30 to $67 per month no matter how you heat your home. For more information on this program, click here.

If you need help, please ask. If you know of someone who needs help, please share this information.

Top 5 Hudson Valley News Stories

More From Hudson Valley Post