Heating assistance programs still available for income-qualified customers

ALBANY, N.Y. » Upstate New York remains under winter’s control and National Grid is reminding customers that there is still time to take advantage of energy programs that can help them pay and manage their winter energy bills.

For example, the Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance to make home heating costs more affordable for income-eligible customers as well as emergency funds for eligible households experiencing a heating or heat-related emergency.

HEAP funding programs are limited and made available on a first-come, first-served basis. HEAP is not a loan; it’s a benefit available to customers who meet specific eligibility requirements. Customers are urged to apply as soon as possible, as program dates may be shortened or extended based on federal funding and demand. HEAP programs include:

• Regular HEAP, which is scheduled to run through March 15, 2022. Qualification is based on household size and income. Apply online for Regular HEAP at mybenefits.ny.gov or through your HEAP Local District Contact. Customers 60 or older can apply through their county’s Office for the Aging.

• Regular Arrears Supplements, one-time grants available to Heap-eligible customers, are expected to be available through Sept. 2022. These grants cover accumulated past-due utility payments up to $10,000. Qualification is based on household size and income, and customers must have past-due utility payments. To apply, contact your HEAP Local District Contact. Customers 60 years of age can apply through their county’s Office for the Aging.

• Emergency HEAP is scheduled to run through March 15, 2022. Qualification is based on household size and income. To apply, customers must be disconnected, disconnect-eligible, or have a utility shut-off notice. National Grid customers requiring electricity to operate heating systems can apply for a Domestic Electric Emergency HEAP grant. Customers must apply by telephone or in-person through your HEAP Local District Contact. Customers 60 or older can apply through their county’s Office for the Aging.

Customers who receive HEAP funding are automatically enrolled in National Grid’s Energy Affordability Program. This program provides monthly bill credits above and beyond what the customer receives from HEAP. Customers may also qualify for EAP by participating in qualifying programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, qualifying veterans’ pensions, or Native American benefit programs administered by federal or tribal governments. To learn more about the program and eligibility, or to apply, call 1-866305-1915 or email affordability@ nationalgrid.com.

National Grid’s Care and Share fuel fund is administered by Heartshare Human Services of New York. The program, which opens in February, provides an annual $200 grant to National Grid customers who meet HEAP guidelines and have exhausted their HEAP allocation for the year. For information on the program, call 1-855-852-2736 or visit the organization’s website at heartshare.org.

Bill management plans from National Grid may also assist customers during the winter heating season. Customers may enroll in the company’s Budget Billing Plan, which spreads monthly payments out more evenly throughout a year to mitigate months of high energy usage. Additional payment options are also available. Visit www.ngrid. com/discount to learn more.

National Grid Consumer Advocates work directly with incomeeligible and vulnerable customers to meet their home energy needs. Call a Consumer Advocate at 1-800-642-4272 and ask for a consumer advocate, or email Consumeradvocatesuny@nationalgrid.com.