Corrected to include the proper phone number at 9:36 a.m.

Sen. Patty Ritchie reminds St. Lawrence County residents to apply for HEAP as cold weather nears.

“As winter approaches here in Central and Northern New York, many of us are preparing for the drop in temperatures—and an increase in our home heating bills,” she said. “The cold can take a toll on many of our most vulnerable—including senior citizens and those on low or fixed incomes—who find themselves struggling with the decision of whether to keep the heat on, or have the money to pay for other necessities.”

For those who find it difficult to manage home heating costs during winter, Ritchie says there is help. “Recently it was announced that more than $327 million in funding is available to assist elderly and low to moderate income New Yorkers with staying warm during the colder months,” she said.

To apply for ‘HEAP’, residents can visit www.myBenefits.ny.gov or obtain an application at their local Department of Social Services office (listed below):

- St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services, 6 Judson Street, Canton, (315) 379-2303

In addition to applying for the one-time benefit, households can also apply for an emergency benefit—beginning on Tuesday, January 2, 2018—if in danger of having their heat turned off, or running out of fuel.

Ritchie also provided some tips to help reduce costs and save heat.

• Make the annual call for maintenance – Electric & oil heaters should be checked by a professional once a year. Also, check your filters. Dirty filters can run up a heating bill fast.

• Turn down your thermostat – Even just a few degrees can lower your bill by as much as 10%. Lowering your water heater just a few degrees could also have a big impact.

• The sun can provide free heat – Make sure to allow sunlight into your home through your windows. At night, when the sun goes down, cover those windows back up to keep the heat inside.

• Ceiling fans can actually circulate heat – You can run your ceiling fan clockwise to keep warm air from rising. Use a low setting and it pushes air back down towards the floor.

• Use more insulation – Studies have shown a lack of proper insulation is a reason heating bills are so high. Small fixes, such as weather stripping doors and windows could have a big impact on how much energy you use.

“As we know, winter can be brutally cold throughout our region. If you, or someone you know needs assistance with covering the cost of heating bills this winter, please take the time to see if any of these tips work for you and also find out if you or someone you know could potentially qualify for the HEAP program,” Ritchie said.