The dearth of funds for HEAP — a pot of cash meant to assist pay for air-con in the summertime and residential heating within the winter — means the state program stopped accepting functions for help Tuesday, and won’t reopen for the remainder of the winter.
In the meantime, temperatures on the Nationwide Climate Service’s Central Park climate station haven’t gone above freezing all week, and are anticipated to stay under 32 levels till Sunday.
By regulation, functions for HEAP help open annually in early November, and stay open till the funds run out.
Ice is pictured within the Hudson River Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Barry Williams / New York Every day Information)
This 12 months, this system opened on Nov. 1 2024, which means functions have been being accepted for lower than 12 weeks earlier than funding lapsed.
The state’s Workplace of Short-term and Incapacity Help, which administers this system, didn’t instantly reply Wednesday when requested how a lot cash had been allotted for this system this 12 months.
Bronx Councilwoman Diana Ayala, who chairs the Metropolis Council’s Common Welfare Committee, mentioned HEAP already operating out of cash is an indication lawmakers ought to contemplate growing this system’s funding.
“The fact that we’re running out of money is indicative of the high need,” she mentioned. “That should trigger a conversation about an enhancement in the budget for this program specifically.”
People making lower than $3,322 a month — or households of 4 with a month-to-month family revenue under $6,390 — are eligible for help beneath HEAP.
The dearth of funds means the state’s House Vitality Help Program — a pot of cash meant to assist low-income New Yorkers pay for air-con in the summertime and residential heating within the winter — stopped accepting functions for help Tuesday, and won’t reopen this winter. (Shutterstock)
The quantity of help varies based mostly on want — from $21 for these residing in government-subsidized housing whose warmth is included of their lease — to over $900 for many who pay straight for oil, kerosene, or propane warmth.
It was not instantly clear what number of households obtained help this winter earlier than funding ran out.
The state’s emergency HEAP advantages — a separate fund meant for low-income New Yorkers who’ve run out of gas or have had their warmth lower off — stays open to functions.
Initially Revealed: January 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM EST
