U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the Trump administration to release an estimated $360 million in federal heating assistance for New York State as fuel prices rise and colder weather approaches. The money was appropriated by Congress for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program but has not yet been distributed, according to Gillibrand's office.
Gillibrand sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy seeking the immediate release of the funds. She said the aid is needed to help low-income households cover energy bills during the fall and winter.
Heating oil costs climb across New York
The average cost of heating oil in New York has reached as much as $6.14 per gallon, a 66% increase from the same time last year, according to figures cited by Gillibrand. Her office tied that increase to a rise in crude oil prices.
Crude oil reached $100 per barrel last week for the first time since July. Gillibrand attributed the increase to the Trump administration's war with Iran, a claim made as she pressed for the release of heating assistance.
Gillibrand said New Yorkers are already facing higher costs at grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies. She argued that delayed heating support creates another burden as temperatures begin to fall.
Congress appropriated aid earlier this month
The federal funding was included in the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, which Congress approved earlier this month. New York is expected to receive about $360 million through the program.
LIHEAP provides federal money to help qualifying households pay heating and other home-energy costs. Gillibrand's office said the administration had not released New York's allocation as of the press conference.
The senator called on the Department of Health and Human Services to make the money available before winter demand increases. Her letter did not provide a release date or describe a response from the department.
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