Overview
- HHS said in a letter that about $3.7 billion in HEAP funding will be sent to state agencies by the end of the month, with money potentially taking more than a week to reach programs.
- New York officials say the state still lacks confirmation that its $400 million allocation is released, and they plan to open HEAP applications on Nov. 24.
- Hochul’s office says New York can begin accepting applications within 48 hours of the federal payment stream resuming.
- HEAP supports more than 1 million New York households and could reach another estimated 1.5 million, offering one-time payments up to roughly $900 based on need and income limits.
- As the state urges sign-ups for its separate Energy Affordability Program offering up to $500 in annual savings, utilities including LIPA have paused shut-offs and halted automatic de-enrollment tied to HEAP eligibility.