Assembly Advances Emergency Energy Proposal

Initial Plan Provides Additional Funds For HEAP Program
To Benefit Seniors, Low-Income New Yorkers

Audio Excerpt 1 (24 seconds) Audio Excerpt 2 (23 seconds) Audio Excerpt 3 (16 seconds) View Transcript Speaker Sheldon Silver explains the Assembly's emergency energy proposal that would boost funding for the HEAP Program to ensure seniors and low-income New Yorkers are able to afford to heat their homes this winter. From Left: Silver was joined by Assembly Social Services Committee Chair Deborah Glick, Energy Committee Chair Paul Tonko, Assembly Aging Committee Chair Steve Englebright, Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman D. Farrell, Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine and Geneva Conway from AARP.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Energy Committee Chair Paul Tonko today announced anticipated Assembly passage of a $200 million emergency appropriation measure to augment the existing federal low income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

In addition, the house will consider a resolution calling for increased federal funding for the state-administered program. The emergency actions come in advance of a comprehensive Assembly energy package that will provide additional assistance to residents and businesses throughout the state who are struggling to pay skyrocketing energy costs.

"With energy prices soaring, it is imperative that we protect New Yorkers from the harshness of winter. No one should have to choose between oil in their furnace and food on the table," said Silver. HEAP applications in New York State have risen by as much as 25 percent, Silver said, and with the number of estimated eligible households at more that two million, the number of applicants to the program will undoubtedly increase further.

"Heating fuel prices of all types have climbed by double-digit percentages each of the last two years, creating an historic energy burden for low-income families and vulnerable senior citizens throughout New York State," said Tonko. "Due to the Congressional leadership's misguided priorities, our state must strengthen low income HEAP by doubling the available funds in this vital - but woefully underfunded - energy assistance program. This will help keep cash-strapped New Yorkers from making the cruel choice between heating their homes and purchasing other basic necessities, such as food and prescription drugs."

Energy Committee Chair Tonko described energy problems the state faces,"due to the Congressional leadership's misguided priorities," and the need for the state to protect our neediest and most vulnerable winter’s harsh weather.

Under the Assembly's emergency funding legislation (A.9281), the additional appropriation of $200 million would be used to increase the level of the basic HEAP grant and award grants to more seniors and other low-income New Yorkers. The appropriation will also ensure that the program has adequate funds for emergency grants, which prevent low-income households from having their electricity or gas shut-off due to an inability to pay.

Silver and Tonko noted that this state action is necessary because President Bush and his allies in Congress have failed to provide enhanced funding for HEAP despite historically high energy rates, and in fact Congress recently cut HEAP funding to New York by $15 million.

According to Tonko, home heating oil prices in New York State are up by 21 percent over last year and 60 percent over two years ago. Natural gas prices have also shot up in similar fashion. At the same time, HEAP grants have remained flat.

"This measure will provide real and direct aid to those New Yorkers who are most in need of financial assistance to pay rising energy costs. For their sake, I urge the Senate and the governor to join with us in enacting this emergency appropriation," said Assembly Ways and Means Committee chair Herman D. Farrell, Jr.

"It's essential that we provide assistance to struggling families across New York State to ensure that they have access to the fuel they need to keep warm without having to go hungry in order to do it," said Assembly Social Services Committee chair, Deborah J. Glick.

Ways and Means Committee Chair Farrell told the capital press corp that the Assembly energy measure would provide real and direct aid to those New Yorkers who are most in need of financial assistance to pay rising energy costs. From Left: Assemblywomen Carmen Arroyo and Joan Christensen joined the news conference to show their support for the legislation.

"I am proud to stand with my Assembly colleagues to recognize that New Yorkers of all ages are being crippled by the weight of rising energy costs and they need assistance in paying for their heat and utility bills immediately. An AARP study released yesterday showed that 20 percent of seniors are foregoing needed medications to pay for their heat and 80 percent of New Yorkers believe the state should help those who cannot afford the huge increase in their bills, said Assembly Aging Committee chair, Steve Englebright. "This important legislation will ensure that older New Yorkers and families throughout the state will not be placed in harm's way because of inadequate federal funding for heating assistance. New York now joins all the other cold-weather states in recognizing the need for assistance and passing legislation that will provide a supplement to federal HEAP. We urge the Senate and governor to join us in this endeavor."

"AARP commends the leadership of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and the New York State Assembly for addressing the needs of low-income and elderly New Yorkers in need this winter," said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director. "New Yorkers shouldn't have to forgo buying necessities such as prescription drugs to pay their heating bills. This legislation would provide them with the immediate help they need."

"High heating costs don't discriminate by age and we are glad that the Assembly is willing to provide immediate targeted relief to seniors and all persons in need because of the life threatening nature of losing access to heat," said Michael Burgess, Executive Director of New York State Alliance for Retired Americans.

AARP Executive Director Michael Burgess, who also took part in the news conference, praised the Assembly for advancing legislation to help low-income elderly New Yorkers heat their homes this winter.

Last year, the HEAP program had more than 822,000 beneficiaries in New York State. According to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, eligible households that pay directly for heat receive a HEAP benefit amount ranging from $150-$400 and eligible households that do not pay directly for heat receive a standard statewide benefit of $40 or $50 depending on income level.

HEAP eligibility in New York is based on household size and income; for example, gross monthly income for a household of two must be at or below $2,358 and for a household of four must be at or below $3,468.

Federal HEAP dollars also pay for administrative costs and fund the weatherization program that improves energy efficiency in eligible households. The size of the benefit varies by type of heating source, size of household, income and whether a young child or a disabled or elderly person is present.

In addition to the emergency HEAP appropriation bill, the Assembly is also working on a broader energy package that will seek to reduce energy use and costs in public buildings, businesses, agriculture and homes; provide long-term cost savings for New Yorkers and economic stimulus for businesses; reauthorize the state's Power for Jobs and Economic Development Power programs; and reinstate power plant siting and energy planning legislation that have expired.

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