Richard of Coxsackie writes:

I was a recipiant of H.E.A.P, a federaly funded assistance program to help people in need.  This program helps people with fuel oil purchases during the winter months.  

I received a $315 grant from H.E.A.P for a fuel delivery in May of this year. My case worker contacted Mor Powr Fuels and requested a fuel delivery on my behalf.  Mor Powr came and filled my tank and gave me a $128.22 fuel credit slip.  

The current fuel price at Mor Powr was 74.9 cents per gallon.  Upon review of my bill I noticed I was charged 84.9 cents per gallon, 10 cents more than the advertised price.   

When I questioned Mor Powr about this increas, I was told it was due to the fact they had to wait so long for the money to be sent from the H.E.A.P program. 

On November 22, my wife phoned Mor Powr to get the rest of the fuel delivered, ( $128.22 credit) and was told the fuel would cost $1.18.9 cents per gallon. 

I went to Mor Powr to discuss the fact that they were already paid for the fuel some time ago and that I should be getting the fuel for the advertised price of 89.9 cents per gallon.  This is the price that was advertised on a large sign in front of the establishment.  

I was first told that the sign out front was not correct, it had not been changed yet, and the price of fuel was now $1.08.9 per gallon, and because I was on the H.E.A.P program, the fuel would cost $1.18.9. 

I explained to the gentlemen that they had been holding the money and that I should receive the fuel for the advertised price. The gentlemen than stated he did not want my business any more anyway. 

I asked him if it was because I was on the H.E.A.P program and he said, YES.  He wrote me a check for the sum of $128.22 (the credit amount) and told me not to come back. 

I am a disabled veteran who was having a hard time when I was on the H.E.A.P program. I have since gotten back on my feet, due to a college degree, and am working hard to make something of my life. I think what these people are doing is wrong, and should not be tolerated in our society.  I cannot explain how this made me feel, and would like to prevent it from happening to other people in need.

Besides being reprehensible, this is almost surely illegal, or at least in violation of the rules under which fuel oil suppliers operate.  We are forwarding Richard's complaint to several federal agencies and to Rep. John E. Sweeney and Sen. Charles Schumer.