Home Heating Assistance Grants Available November 1

Qualified customers can apply for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grants, a federally funded program that provides regular and emergency assistance to help pay heating and utility bills, beginning Friday, Nov. 1. Applications must be submitted annually, as income guidelines may have changed since last season. Applications for HEAP grants are available through local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices, at Offices for the Aging and online at mybenefits.ny.gov.

"Signing up for the HEAP program ensures that customers receive the financial support needed to keep their homes warm during the winter months," said Eileen Lomoriello, Director of Customer Experience at Central Hudson. "We encourage all customers who are eligible for these benefits to apply."

The amount of the HEAP grant depends on family income and size guidelines. For example, a family of four with natural gas heating and an annual income of $76,680 would qualify for a $400 grant. Central Hudson customers who receive HEAP grants will automatically be enrolled in Central Hudson's Bill Discount Program, providing an additional credit monthly off their Central Hudson bill. Customers who do not qualify for HEAP but do receive other assistance programs including Medicaid, SNAP, Lifeline, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance or Veteran's Pensions also qualify for the Bill Discount Program and are encouraged to apply by visiting www.cenhud.com /account-resources/assistance-programs. The amount of the bill discount credit is based on the service type and amount of benefit.

Customers who heat with non-utility heating fuels such as oil, propane, wood and other qualified fuels should email their current HEAP Notice of Decision letter to Central Hudson at [email protected] to be enrolled and receive the bill credit.

Regular HEAP grants for the fall and upcoming winter are available between Nov.1, 2024, and March 17, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. Two Emergency HEAP grants will be available between Jan. 2, 2025, and Mar. 17, 2025. These benefits are designed to meet an eligible household's immediate energy needs. The Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement (HERR) program is also available to assist customers who have primary heating equipment that is either inoperable or unsafe. HERR grants are currently available and will remain so through Sept. 30, 2025.

For more information on HEAP eligibility requirements and benefits, visit www.CentralHudson.com/HEAP or http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/program.asp; and for more on all of Central Hudson's assistance and billing programs, visit www.CentralHudson.com/PaymentAssistance.

# # #