NEW YORK, N.Y. — Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday an additional $15 million in funding is available to help eligible New Yorkers heat their homes following the severe winter weather across the state the past month.
The application period for both regular and emergency Home Energy Assistance Program benefits has also been extended until April 26th.
Households are normally eligible for one regular and one emergency HEAP benefit each winter, but beginning February 19th households may apply for a second emergency benefit if they are faced with the possibility of having a utility shut off or running out of heating fuel.
The Governor's Office says the recent weather is comparable to the weather last winter, which was one of the coldest on record, and demand for HEAP benefits remains high with more than 35,000 households seeking assistance so far this year.
"Families should not have to choose between heating their homes and paying for other essentials like food or medications. With much of the state remaining in winter's icy grasp, the availability of this extra funding will help our most vulnerable New Yorkers stay warm and safe through the duration of the season. I encourage anyone who may need help paying their heating bills this winter to apply for assistance."
HEAP is overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and is 100 percent federally funded.
