The federal government has reopened, yet many low-income New Yorkers are still without crucial heating assistance. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides vital support for winter heating bills, remains stalled following a 43-day government shutdown.
Typically, New York begins enrollment for LIHEAP in early November. This year, however, the application process has been postponed indefinitely due to the shutdown, leaving approximately 1.5 million residents in uncertainty. According to U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, the stopgap bill signed by President Donald Trump should facilitate the program’s reopening, but it may take weeks for assistance to become available.
The spending package maintains last year’s funding level for LIHEAP at $400 million for New York. Despite this, the timeline for disbursing these funds remains uncertain. Even if funding is allocated promptly, the state agency managing LIHEAP indicated that applications would not open until at least November 24. Should funds arrive after this date, the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has committed to opening the program within 48 hours of receiving them.
As temperatures have begun to drop across the state, concerns are rising about the impacts of delayed funding. New York has already reported the highest number of gas and electricity shutoffs due to nonpayment in at least 15 years. According to Laurie Wheelock, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Public Utility Law Project (PULP), many individuals have reached out to their hotline in distress, with debts ranging from $80 to $4,000. “They’re trying to decide whether to pay rent, utilities, or buy food,” she stated.
This situation marks the second instance within a year where New Yorkers relying on HEAP face uncertainty. In January, the program closed prematurely before reopening just days later due to intervention from Governor Kathy Hochul.
LIHEAP, while federally funded, is administered by individual states. In New York, the majority of the funding aids families in paying their utility bills. Benefits range from $400 to $900 per household annually, depending on heating methods. The federal budget typically renews LIHEAP funding in October, with the state initially planning to reopen applications on November 3.
As the government shutdown has delayed the program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that it will work swiftly to distribute annual awards now that the budget impasse has ended. Despite this assurance, uncertainty looms over how soon funds will reach New York, as the agency retains significant discretion over the actual release of the $4.1 billion allocated for LIHEAP nationwide.
With utility shutoffs already increasing, advocates are pressing for more action to protect vulnerable households. By the end of September, utility companies had suspended services for over 300,000 households, nearly double the number from the same period last year. The state does impose restrictions on utility shutoffs during winter months, but it does not implement an outright ban like some other states do for low-income residents.
During the last heating season, over 66,000 New York households experienced utility disconnections, including 15,000 who lost heating. This alarming trend has prompted calls for immediate action. In late October, PULP and AARP New York urged Governor Hochul to implement a moratorium on shutoffs and to advance state funding to expedite the opening of the LIHEAP program. Their plea has garnered support from 15 assemblymembers and nearly 60 advocacy groups.
As pressure mounts, five major utilities, including Con Edison, have filed an emergency petition seeking immediate protective measures for low-income customers. Wheelock emphasizes the need for Governor Hochul to take further steps to ensure that no one is left without heat during the impending winter.
While at least partial federal funding is now anticipated, PULP’s immediate focus is on establishing a moratorium on shutoffs that would extend protections to all customers, including those reliant on alternative heating sources like propane or oil.
Governor Hochul’s administration has already taken measures to protect New Yorkers during this funding lapse, a situation she attributes to the actions of Washington Republicans. In late October, her office directed utilities to retain customers enrolled in the state’s Energy Affordability Program, preventing them from dropping off the rolls.
As Kira Pospesel, commissioner of the Greene County Department of Social Services, noted, these interim measures have managed to keep residents warm for the time being. “We’re not seeing anybody left in the cold, not yet,” she said. Nonetheless, the urgency for federal funds remains clear, especially as the heating assistance program faces delays that could leave many without necessary support.
Wheelock’s concerns underscore the need for a more robust heating assistance framework in New York. “Every time funding is delayed, we see confusion and fear on the ground,” she remarked, advocating for changes to ensure that assistance programs do not falter in times of need.
