Over $538,243,391 Million in Funds for Residents of New York

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced today that the federal government has released $5.1 billion in funds for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), over $538 million of which will go to New York State. HEAP provides home heating aid for senior citizens and struggling families.

“With winter just around the corner, the release of these funds will go a long way in assisting senior citizens and families in Western New York who cannot afford the high cost of keeping their houses warm and safe in the cold winter months,” Higgins said. 

Higgins has been a strong advocate for increased HEAP funds in the House of Representatives, and earlier this year asked the House Budget Committee and Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee that they provide this $5.1 billion for HEAP in the fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget resolution.

        The money released today is directed to states with 20 percent of their low-income households using fuel oil as their primary heating source. Last winter,  the Energy Information Administration reported that  the cost to heat a home with home heating oil increased by $375 to $1,841, propane by $273 to $1,622 and natural gas by $87 to $900.

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