The Emergency Benefit component of the Heating and Energy Assistance (HEAP) program will open on Monday, January 4, 2021. The Emergency Benefit will be authorized for those HEAP eligible households that can document that a heating/utility emergency exists. An emergency is defined as those households that are threatened with a heat/utility shut-off or their utility service is already off, there is less than 25% fuel left in oil/propane/kerosene tanks, or there is less than a 10 day supply of wood/wood pellets/coal.

It is not necessary to come into the office to receive this benefit. There are contact-less options for applying, interviewing and submitting necessary documentation.

For additional information regarding the HEAP program please contact the Department of Social Services at the numbers listed below, or visit us at the Heating and Energy Assistance page of the Cattaraugus County website, and can be found at https://www.CattCo.org/Social-Services/HEAP.

To ask general questions, or to report an emergency, please call one of the following numbers:

*If your last name begins with A through M, call 716-701-3773

*If your last name begins with N through Z call 716-701-3774

The phone lines are staffed Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. After hours please leave a message and somebody will get back to you on the next business day.