As colder weather settles in, a federal shutdown is delaying the launch of New York’s heat assistance program, leaving many low-income households in limbo.
Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, were expected to open Monday. But the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is delaying applications until at least Nov. 17, citing stalled federal funding.
HEAP is one of several government aid programs, including food stamps, that could soon be affected if the shutdown drags on. The program provided nearly $400 million in heating assistance to 1.8 million residents statewide last year, according to the state comptroller. About a million of those recipients were in New York City.
The delay is already forcing some families to make difficult decisions, according to Laurie Wheelock, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project.
“For the household that now maybe has a limited income, they’re losing SNAP benefits potentially and maybe HEAP,” she said. “And they’re going to have to make that decision of what to do.”
Beyond helping cover heating costs, Wheelock said, the program also offers temporary protections against utility shutoffs and access to emergency benefits when the coldest months arrive.
“It is a very big deal. The program was supposed to open on Monday,” she said. “We have low-income households that get this grant every single year. Some of them look for it in the fall. Some of the counties do auto payments if the household is connected to SNAP.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul criticized Congress during a press conference Tuesday, accusing federal lawmakers of failing vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on food, health and energy assistance.
“We will not be silenced while they take away food from our kids,” Hochul said. “These cowards think that they can turn their backs on us — but we won’t let them.”
