HEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay their energy bill. Assistance is in the form of a dual or single party warrant or a direct payment to a utility company on behalf of an eligible applicant. Eligibility is based on the household's total monthly income, which cannot exceed the HEAP income guidelines (see below). The amount of assistance is based on the number of persons in the household, total gross household income, the cost of energy within the county the household resides, and funding availability. HEAP provides one payment per program year. Under most circumstances, it takes approximately six weeks to process an application and pay the applicant or utility company. However, an incomplete/incorrect application will take additional time to process. Persons living in board-and-care facilities, nursing or convalescent homes, or in jail or prison, are not eligible for HEAP. Counties served: Mariposa County