Can New Yorkers Get Heating Assistance This Winter?

As temperatures continue to drop around New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul is calling on the federal government to release funds to help residents stay warm. She recently announced that major utility companies in New York must ensure that anyone enrolled in the State's Energy Affordability Program, also known as EAP, will continue to receive their discount, regardless of what the federal government is doing. Because EAP is tied to HEAP, the families relying on the EAP discounts would have lost them due to the federal government not releasing HEAP funds. New Yorkers can go to the State's EAP website to see if they are eligible and learn how to enroll in the program.

KEEP READING: All New Yorkers On SNAP Will Have To Reapply

Gov. Hochul and New York State Representative Paul Tonko are demanding that the current administration release $400 million to support the Home Energy Assistance Program, which 1.5 million New Yorkers rely on. Even though the federal government has reopened, the administration has not released the funds for the program. New York State is prepared to begin accepting HEAP applications on November 24, but it will need the funds to do so. Gov. Hochul issued a message to the federal government, saying,

“It’s shameful that the Trump Administration is threatening to make New Yorkers pay more for their heating bills this winter — and I’m demanding the immediate release of federal funds to help 1.5 million New Yorkers heat their home. I’ll never stop fighting for affordability, and that’s why my team is also helping millions more New Yorkers enroll in our state program to get monthly energy discounts.”

Get our free mobile app