MALONE — Franklin County Department of Social Services Commissioner Michele Mulverhill announced this week that the county will begin taking applications for the regular Heating Energy Assistance Program for the 2023-24 season on Nov. 1.

Those in receipt of temporary assistance on Sept. 9 may not need to apply to receive HEAP benefits; they should automatically receive benefits if they’re eligible.

Those in receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as of Sept. 16 may also not need to apply to receive HEAP benefits. For more information, call 518-481-1807 after Nov. 1.

Those with a case opened after the above dates must complete an application for HEAP benefits. Franklin County will start accepting applications on Nov. 1. To receive an application packet, contact the Department of Social Services’ HEAP office at 518-481-1807 or visit mybenefits.ny.gov.

Franklin County is also using the NYDocSubmit program, available on the Google Play and Apple app stores, which means that documents can be submitted via the NYDocSubmit app.

Those who received an early outreach application from the HEAP Bureau in Albany and need assistance completing the application can call the county HEAP office or 1-800-397-8686, ext. 807.

Those who did not receive an early outreach application will need to contact the county HEAP office to set up an appointment for a telephone interview or a face-to-face interview at 184 Finney Boulevard in Malone, in Saranac Lake or Tupper Lake. For an appointment in Saranac Lake, call 518-891-0240, ext. 1. For an appointment in Tupper Lake, call 518-481-1893 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement component of HEAP is open. To set an appointment, call the HEAP office.

The emergency HEAP component is scheduled to open on Jan. 2, 2024.