Changes to HEAP Application Process for FS Applicants

There has been a change in the HEAP program this year that affects households newly applying for the Food Stamp Program.

In past years when someone applied for Food Stamps a simple one page form was used to certify the household for HEAP benefits as well. This form was often filled out by the FS worker who would then have the household sign the form.

OTDA has directed counties that this form is now obsolete and can no longer be used. The impact of this change is that households who apply for the FSP after August and anytime throughout HEAP season will no longer automatically receive a HEAP benefit. They will need to fill out the regular 5 page HEAP application in order to receive HEAP.

Households who were receiving FS benefits prior to September will receive HEAP automatically through what is known as "the automatic HEAP pull-down". Each fall (September/October) OTDA runs a computer "pull down" of all households who have an open FS case and who live in HEAP eligible housing. This authorizes a regular HEAP benefit for those households without a need for filing an application. Households who are not receiving FS benefits at the time of the "pull down" will no longer receive HEAP automatically by applying for the FSP, but instead will need to fill out the HEAP application.

Things you should do:

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• Check in with your local LDSS/HRA and find out what their process is for FS applicants who miss the " automatic pull-down" for HEAP.


• Adjust what you tell your families based on the new process.


• NOEP coordinators can make referrals. We recommend that you look for an agency in your county to collaborate with that can help your families fill out the HEAP application.


• Community Organizations across the state act as HEAP certifiers. Your LDSS can assist you in identifying the HEAP certifiers in your county.

Other things to know about the HEAP application process:

• The HEAP application is now available on OTDA's website in English and Spanish. To view the application and other materials click here. Once on the page scroll down till you see the HEAP section.


• Households receiving FS benefits are eligible to mail in their HEAP application.


• Households eligible for mail in processing may file an electronic HEAP application instead. The following counties currently accept online filing: Allegany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Greene, Herkimer, Jefferson, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Warren, Washington, and Westchester.

If you have any questions about this information, or any other food-stamp related question, please contact me at (518) 436-8757, ext. 12, or by e-mailing Dawn.Secor@nutritionconsortium.org