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More heating assistance money headed for New York, applications open until May

Posted 4/14/11

New York's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will continue to accept applications into mid-May. After fears in the North Country and around the country that the program would run out of money and …

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More heating assistance money headed for New York, applications open until May

Posted

New York's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will continue to accept applications into mid-May.

After fears in the North Country and around the country that the program would run out of money and leave seniors and low-income people with big bills they couldn't pay, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released $311 million in LIHEAP funding to states, providing an additional $5.1 million for New York

That brings New York's total for the 2010-11 HEAP season to more than $505 million, which includes $26 million in LIHEAP contingency funding released earlier this year.

Income-eligible households in New York can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for up to two emergency benefits if they are in impending danger of running out of fuel or having their utility service shut off. More than 1.3 million New York households have already received help from HEAP this winter.

New York residents can also check to see if they may be eligible for HEAP, and numerous other benefits, by answering a few questions anonymously online at myBenefits.ny.gov.