Unclaimed stimulus checks still available to some

Denise A. Raymo

Oct. 9, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- MALONE -- Senior citizens and others who think they don't qualify for federal-stimulus checks still have until Oct. 15 to apply for the money.

"A lot of Franklin County people didn't file because they are on Social Security or didn't think they are eligible," said Ona Rushford, director of financial assistance for the county's Department of Social Services.

Residents would get $600 as a single-person household and $1,200 as a couple, she said.

Unclaimed checks are one of several areas open to people who expect to have a hard time paying for heat and food this winter.

Rushford has appeared at Town Council meetings across the county lately, explaining benefits, programs and services available to residents as winter approaches.

Income guidelines for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) have increased, making more people qualified to receive the initial $800 benefit, she said.

A single person can make $1,963 or less per month before taxes in order to qualify. The income for a household of two must be $2,567 or less; household of three, $3,172; household of four, $3,776; household of five, $4,380; household of six, $4,984; and household of seven, $5,097.

"We don't want anyone freezing," Rushford said, adding how important it is that town and village officials notify her agency about individuals and families "with little or no resources" so those in need can be helped as much as possible.

If a family uses up its initial $800 HEAP benefit and contacts Social Services before their fuel supply is completely gone, she said, another application for assistance can be made.

Covered heat sources are fuel oil, wood pellets, fire wood, kerosene and propane, but Social Services can also help with repairing or replacing furnaces and heating systems, fuel tanks, chimney work, monitor-heater repairs and more.

The income guideline for food-stamp benefits has also increased, meaning more families can qualify for those.

And the added bonus is that those who qualify for food stamps automatically qualify for HEAP benefits, so an $800 voucher would go out to their fuel company.

"We're practically going door to door to make people aware of this," Rushford said. "We're trying to get as many people qualified as possible."

She said the guidelines changed so that any resources a household might have are no longer counted against their income. Even those living in subsidized housing could receive more help with their food bills.

People who receive a $10 token amount of food stamps each month might now qualify for as much as $56, which could help them better afford higher fuel costs, Rushford said.

Another area of savings could be for senior citizens who participate in the Medicare buy-in program.

They can also qualify to have the County Department of Social Services pay part of their premium costs for coverage.

For information on available Social Services programs and services, call 481-1808.

WHERE TO GET HELP: Here is a list of some utility-assistance and energy-saving programs available to qualified New Yorkers:

The Citizens Energy Corp. Oil Heat Program: Provides a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of free home-heating oil. Applications being accepted starting Dec. 1 at www.citizensenergy.com.

New York State Electricity and Gas Power Partner Program: Lowers monthly service charge on electric and natural-gas bills and helps pay off unpaid balance. Apply at 1 (800) 572-1111 or www.nyseg.com.

New York State Electric and Gas Project Share: Assists in energy emergencies, such as fuel bills, repairs to heating equipment, home weatherization and water-heater replacements. Apply at 1 (800) 572-1111 or www.nyseg.com.

Niagara Mohawk (NYSE:NGG) Power Corp. Affordability Payment Plan: Qualified customers make an affordable monthly payment toward their bill with an arrears-forgiveness arrangement. Call 1 (800) 724-8888.

Niagara Mohawk Care and Share Program: Help for households with a person 60 or older or someone who is disabled and receiving Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability or is experiencing a medical emergency. Apply at: www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk/home/payment/4_careshare.asp

New York Energy Smart: Provides affordable energy-efficiency improvements to households not eligible for the federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program. Apply at: www.getenergysmart.org/resourceLCM.asp

Niagara Mohawk Affordability Program: Participants may qualify for weatherization, refrigerator replacement, waterbed-mattress replacement, fluorescent-fixtures installation, electric hot-water tank and clothes-dryer fuel switch. Call 1 (800) 443-1837.

New York State Electricity and Gas Power Partner Program: Services include weatherization, refrigerator replacement, water-heater replacement and health- and-safety measures. Apply at 1 (800) 572-1111 or www.nyseg.com.

SOURCE: Citizens Energy Corp.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0401-28632911