HEAP Actions Reprehensible

It is reprehensible and shameful how Sullivan County has treated people in need of HEAP, and there must be a complete investigation by the legislature as to why applications were not processed properly this year leading people to be without heat.

HEAP is a federally funded program that assists low-income New Yorkers with the cost of heating their homes. HEAP also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat or heat related energy emergency.

We are one of the poorest counties in New York State and Sullivan County officials should have made certain that people who require assistance receive them.

When it comes to awarding tax abatements and protecting those who profit from the poor – Sullivan County officials are at their beck and call.

When it comes to servicing those in need – Sullivan County has a detailed history with neglect and looking the other way.

There has never been a plan of action – Just the excuse that Stare and Federal mandates are bleeding taxpayers.

If Sullivan County were serious – There would be a plan to cost effectively help those in need – while eliminating fraud.

Community advocate Melissa Willard Parent over the past few days has compiled a list with over 20 people without food and heat and are about to be evicted. These people are desperate for help in resolving their Department of Family Services cases.

Willard Parent has personally arranged food and heat for two families on Friday night and has received phone calls from fuel vendors begging for help resolving their customers’ issues with HEAP.

“I am aware of at least one elderly person whose home was ruined by burst pipes and who has been reduced to sleeping in his car in this weather because HEAP would not answer him.”

Melissa Willard Parent does not work for the county. She is not a paid advocate, or even a formal volunteer. She has no training other than her own “limitless frustration” with her own HEAP case and her “vast fury” at people making a lot of money to be in charge of helping the neediest people in his community and instead lets them suffer.

Melissa Willard Parent and “Catskill Chef” Andy Yeomans have taken their anger over Sullivan County’s lack of treatment in the way HEAP applications are being handled to Facebook. They have lit up sites like Sullivan County Post over the past few days.

DFS Commissioner Randy Parker who has been on a highly praised mission to wipe out fraud in Sullivan County must be held accountable for his concrete lack of compassion in helping those who are in need.

He must understand that he is dealing with the lives of human beings, many who are ashamed and embarrassed to even ask for help.

Legislators like Cora Edwards, Cindy Kurpil Gieger, Alan Sorensen, Gene Benson, and Scott Samuelson have been working hard in assisting constitutions in need of help, as have others.

But, the question remains how could this happen?

Legislator Cora Ann Edwards issued the Following Statement on Sullivan County’s Handling of HEAP upon learning about this column.

She told me, ” I have stepped in when asked to address the backlogof applications and visited the HEAP office almost (2) two weeks ago to see for myself what was going on.I did ask Josh (County Manager) what would need to happen to tackle the backlog of applications. Josh said he would put in place the directive to haveadditional staff to work overtime.”

Edwards said, “Obviously, discussions continued in DFS committee meetings and during the public comment period at last Thursday’s full board meeting, and rightly so.”

“One thing I have noticed in the calls that constituents have made to me as a Legislator about HEAP and other issues (whether foster care, day care, solid waste fees, legal aid, probation, radio towers, property lines, storm damage, Main Street grants, Small Business advice, pot holes, snow plowing, broadband and Internet access, civil service tests – the list goes on and on) is that most often calls come to me as a Legislator after constituents have exhausted all regular channels for due process.”

“So by the time the calls get to me, constituents are often dejected, distraught or worse. I also feel for the employees who have an unending caseload. Another thing I have noticed is that as a government function, there is a general tendency towards handling issues when they reach “emergency” status rather as a routine service provision,” Edwards added.

Legislator Cora Edwards concluded. “As stated in this column, Federal and NYS programs are set up to provide fuel through HEAP. The same is true about food through SNAP, and shelter through Temporary Assistance, the same as services for providing licenses and permits for people who qualify. In other words, we also need to look at why we are in public service and what good government is about, and move on from there. Thank you for the opportunity to address these critical issues in an ‘unedited’ fashion through Sullivan County Post.”

Yeomans rightfully asks – Why does it take calling legislators and state representatives and county manager secretaries to feed and warm our people? The Commissioner earns a huge salary!

How could Commissioner Parker allow over 200 applications be sent to Delaware County to be processed only to be turned back because it was not permitted under law?

How could Commissioner Parker not be prepared months ahead of time with a workforce that accepts and processes applications?

The blame can no longer be shifted to prior administrations!

Union leader Sandy Shaddock is fuming over the way HEAP applications have been handled this year. On Thursday she lambasted legislators over the handling of HEAP.

She noted that there are “several employees who are capable of processing HEAP applications, which can be done over the phone, online, or in person, who have not been asked to assist.”

She claims that Parker cut nearly all overtime in the month of December to punish workers for “bad behavior” in filing whistleblower complaints against him “at a time when the public is in dire need”

She said the DFS workforce was ready and willing work extra hours to ensure that people don’t go without heat.

“Those workers have now been unable to catch up and to handle the duplicate calls. There are people trying to pitch in, but now it is like trying to empty a bathtub with a spoon. Management created it. Management needs to be held accountable. The workers do not hire, set hours, set overtime, decides the number of positions or budget. All of these are management functions and decisions. Put the blame where the blame lies on those who have created it in the first place.”

Although County Manager Josh Potosek must be applauded for his response after the HEAP outcry – He must also be held responsible.

Why did he wait until it happened? We all knew it was a rough year and yet no one – Even Potosek was proactive.

On Friday Potosek announced immediate actions to address the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) application process at the Department of Family Services.

Starting this weekend 25 DFS staff members will be working to process HEAP applications. There will also be 41 DFS staff assigned to work extended hours starting Monday and continuing through next week.

County Manager Potosek will be receiving updates on a daily basis to ensure that the backlog is addressed up expeditiously. If more staff from County administrative departments are necessary to work in conjunction with DFS staff in processing applications, filing paper work, and answering and returning phone calls, County Manager Potosek will work with departments to make staff available to DFS.

Additionally, the County has engaged a New York State HEAP certified provider agency to assist in processing applications.

According to a press release issued by Potosek, “All of these actions will significantly reduce the amount of unprocessed applications in a short amount of time. These additional resources will be in place until such time that we have ensured that everyone deserving of heating assistance has received it in a reasonable amount of time.”

The County is committed to serving residents in need of services in a timely manner,” Potosek said. “I would like to personally thank the staff in DFS that have volunteered to work additional hours to alleviate this problem,” Potosek added.

If You Are Applying For HEAP For The First Time You Can Apply:

Online: (Preferred Method)

Visit myBenefits.ny.gov and apply online. Your application will be received by the local HEAP unit at Department of Family Services in Liberty, NY as soon as you submit it online.

In Person

In person at the Department of Family Services office located at 16 Community Lane, Liberty, NY. If you are 60 years of age or older you may also apply at your local Office for the Aging at the Government Center located at 100 North Street, Monticello, NY.

By Phone:

For Information about the HEAP program please dial 2-1-1 or 845-807-0142.

What do I need for the application?
• A current fuel and/or utility bill or a statement from your landlord that your heat and/or utilities are included in your rent
• Proof of income for the previous 4 weeks
• Unemployment insurance award letter
• Bank statements, interest or dividend statements
• Pension award letter
• Copies of Social Security checks or direct deposit statements
• Business statements for the previous 3 months if you are self-employed or most recent income tax return with supporting schedules.

You may need to bring one of the following for each person in your household:
• Birth or marriage certificates
• School or baptismal records
• Social Security Cards
• Driver’s license

More information about the HEAP program can be found at

https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/

Those in need must receive assistance!

Shame on you Sullivan County!

Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.