Federal heating-assistance funding has been released to New York ahead of the state's winter aid application opening, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Friday. The state is expected to receive an estimated $356 million through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
In a statement announcing the release, Gillibrand said the federal action will allow New York to make the money available for residents' heating costs. Her office estimated the state share at $356 million; household assistance will be administered under New York's HEAP rules.
The release is a new step after Gillibrand and other New York lawmakers pressed federal officials to distribute money Congress appropriated in September. FingerLakes1.com reported Friday that Rep. Josh Riley and a bipartisan group had urged federal health officials to send the aid to states by Nov. 1.
New York administers its share through the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP. The state announced this week that applications for regular benefits open Nov. 2. Some eligible households will receive assistance automatically, while others must apply.
Gillibrand's office said more than 1.1 million New York households received heating assistance last year. The federally funded program also supports energy-crisis aid and efficiency improvements. Eligibility and benefit amounts for the coming season will be determined under the state's HEAP rules.
The senator cited a $6.21 per gallon average heating-oil price in New York, 67% higher than a year ago, as one reason the funds are needed. Those price figures came from her office; the federal funding release does not itself set household fuel prices or benefit amounts.
Residents seeking help can review the state's HEAP announcement and application instructions before the Nov. 2 opening. The program can help eligible households with home-energy costs, while emergency and repair benefits have separate rules and dates.
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