New York Pumping Millions More Into HEAP Program

The public benefit program designed to help low-to-moderate-income Americans pay their heating and cooling costs is getting a considerable boost of cash this heating from state lawmakers in Albany. This influx of money should help lots of additional New Yorkers stay warm this winter.

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With the HEAP program making emergency benefit payments available, a recent announcement by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul gives this year's heating season a nice little bump.

New York is adding an additional $63 million to the HEAP program, which is coming from additional federal funds that the Empire State has received, which will allow state officials to increase the amount of a basic HEAP benefit payment. New York State has received more than $412 million in federal funding for heating assistance so far this year.

Experts and officials have stated that heating costs have increased by up to 56% since last year with these prices not expected to go down anytime soon. Current heating costs, along with other prices that have gone up are remnants of the record-setting inflation we've seen in over the last year or so.

The Home Energy Assistance Program is especially important to help some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers keep their homes warm in the wintertime. Anyone who thinks they may be eligible should be apply as soon as possible so they can continue to heat their homes as the colder temperatures set in.
-Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

Now New York renters and homeowners can receive a maximum benefit payment of up to $1,126 and this money can be used to pay towards the costs of whatever sort of heating system a person uses, which could be natural gas, oil, kerosene, or propane, wood, wood pellets, coal, or corn.