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Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a bill to expand access to home heating aid for seniors in New York. The new legislation aims to help more seniors qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federal initiative that assists low-income homeowners and renters with heating and cooling costs. The bill mandates that the Department of Health provide HEAP information and enrollment instructions to participants of the Elderly Pharmaceutical Coverage Program (EPIC). This information will be included with each EPIC application and through an annual notice to participants.
HEAP can offer up to $996 to eligible households, and has already returned over $397 million to New Yorkers. Applications for the Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2024. Seniors needing assistance with their applications can contact their local office for the aging or the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871. Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating that it helps put money back in the pockets of hard-working New Yorkers, especially during the cold winter months.
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn expressed gratitude for the legislation, noting that it will enable more eligible seniors to become aware of and enroll in HEAP. State Senator Cordell Cleare, Chair of the Aging Committee, praised the bill's passage, highlighting its role in providing essential cooling and heating benefits to seniors. The new law is part of Governor Hochul's broader efforts to tackle the affordability crisis and improve the well-being of New York's senior population.