NYS Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that additional emergency home heating assistance is being made available to New York’s most vulnerable residents, in response to rising energy costs. The state has approved offering a second emergency benefit to qualified applicants through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HEAP, a federally-funded program administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs. So far this winter heating season, HEAP has issued benefits to more than 719,000 families, totaling more than $178 million.

OTDA Commissioner David A. Hansell appeared today at Senior Services of Albany on Delaware Avenue to help publicize the additional benefits.

“As all New Yorkers struggle with record-high home energy costs, it’s important we do all we can so that senior citizens and low-income New Yorkers can continue to heat their homes during the winter months,” said Governor Spitzer. “This action ensures vulnerable households facing crisis situations do not have to go without heat. I would like to especially thank Senators Schumer and Clinton, Representatives Rangel, Lowey, and Walsh, and the entire New York congressional delegation for their hard work in securing these critical funds for New York State.”

A second emergency benefit will now be offered to qualified applicants, thanks to $82.3 million in recently-released federal HEAP contingency funds. Additionally, the amount of the emergency benefit for deliverable fuels is being increased from $600 to $700, reflecting the skyrocketing cost of home heating fuel. The additional federal funds will also allow the program to remain open until May 15, reflecting the long heating season in parts of the state.

OTDA Commissioner David A. Hansell said: “As part of Governor Spitzer’s vision for increasing the economic security of our low-income working families, New York’s HEAP program was redesigned this year to expand eligibility and raise benefit levels. We also provide the greatest benefit to those low-income households with the highest energy costs in relation to their income, and those with young children, seniors or family members who are disabled. With winter far from over, we are delighted to be able to offer even more help to those who desperately need it.”

The program offers two components – a Regular Benefit and an Emergency Benefit. This season, the state increased the maximum Regular Benefit a household can receive to $540, up from $440 last winter. Additionally, qualified applicants facing an energy-related emergency, such as a power shutoff or less than 10 days supply of heating fuel, can apply for an Emergency Benefit.

Under the program changes announced today, a second Emergency Benefit of up to $700 will be available to those without sufficient resources to address another crisis situation, if it should arise.

Enabling county social services agencies to authorize a second HEAP Emergency Benefit for those eligible will avoid approximately $10 million in local costs by reducing the need for state and locally-funded emergency assistance payments. In addition, $6.5 million will be distributed immediately to county social services districts to offset costs incurred in administering the second emergency benefit and in accepting HEAP applications through May 15, 2008.

Michael Burgess, Director of the State Office for the Aging, said: “Many older New Yorkers are concerned about being able to keep up with the rising heating cost with their fixed income. This additional funding will directly help those most vulnerable who are facing an emergency situation.”

Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said: “Today’s announcement will be welcomed by thousands of families across the state struggling to make ends meet. High energy costs are driving up housing costs and increasing the burden working families must shoulder: this second HEAP award will help ease that burden. The funding will also allow DHCR to provide weatherization assistance to more than 2,200 families, resulting in the permanent reduction of home heating use for these households. I congratulate Governor Spitzer and Commissioner Hansell for making this second emergency benefit available to some of our neediest neighbors.”

Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director said: “AARP commends Governor Spitzer and Commissioner Hansell on additional HEAP funding. Now, more low-income New Yorkers can get the assistance they need. More funding means fewer low-income older adults will have to choose between heating their home and fulfilling other basic needs.”

Applications for HEAP benefits can be made at local Departments of Social Services. The funds are paid directly to participating energy vendors on behalf of clients throughout the state. The total HEAP allocation to New York State this season is $343.8 million.

For information on how to apply for HEAP, visit www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap or call 1-800-342-3009.