ALBANY, N.Y. (WCAX) – New Yorkers could get a helping hand paying for heat.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Home Heating and Energy Efficiency Assistance Program – open to New Yorkers to help offset the cost of utilities.
The first-come-first-served program allows qualifying households to receive up to $1,000 to help pay for heat this winter.
Hochul says for lower-income New Yorkers, energy costs can range between 10 and 20 percent of household income.
“Walking around Buffalo with heavy sweaters on so my parents’ heating bill didn’t go off the charts. That is still the existence for New Yorkers today. And to have a young child in the wintertime when it’s cold out, babies need to be kept warm. I understand this,” said Hochul.
Hochul went on to say the program can also be used to fix or replace heating units with benefits of up to $8,000.
Applications are now open.