October 20, 2021
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says, if anyone in the area needs help getting low income funding for heating bills, or if anyone needs help as a result of financial problems from the August 18th flooding, to email her office. The email address is: casework@Gillibrand.Senate.Gov
“October marks the start of the heating season for many states and many New Yorkers will struggle to afford the cost of keeping the heat turned on in their homes during the cold winter months. In New York State alone, there are already 1.2 million households that collectively owe more than $1.5 billion in late energy bill payments,” the senator stated. Gillibrand said she is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute LIHEAP funding quickly and at the highest level possible. The ongoing economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has also put unprecedented financial burdens on low-income families and seniors and rising heating costs will only add to this strain.
“The EIA’s Winter Fuels Outlook reports households nationwide could see their heating bills jump as much as 54% from last winter,” Gillibrand continued. “The EIA also projects that Northeast customers who use natural gas will see their bills rise to $865, up from $731 last year. Significant and early LIHEAP funding is a crucial lifeline that will help meet the demand of rising utility costs and help financially strained households pay their energy bills and stay safe throughout the winter.”
