National Grid and the National Grid Foundation once again kicked in some cash for Upstate New York heating assistance funds.

The electric company says they have contributed $325,000 toward helping keep New Yorkers warm this winter.

The company also wants to remind customers that help is available through the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides financial assistance to income-eligible applicants. Households receiving public assistance, Supplemental Security Income or Food Stamps are the most likely to be eligible for LIHEAP.

In St. Lawrence County, eligibility for LIHEAP is determined by the Department of Social Services.

If you're 59 or under and applying for the first time, call St. Lawrence County DSS at 379-2303. If over 60, contact the county Office for the Aging at 386-4730. You can also call the LIHEAP hotline at (800) 342-3009.

There are several other programs available to National Grid customers to help manage energy costs.

Discount rates are available to many National Grid electricity customers, based on service area and certain eligibility requirements. National Grid's budget billing program helps to spread payments out more evenly across the year.

And energy efficiency programs are one of the fastest and most effective ways to permanently lower energy costs, National Grid says.