State to be able to continue heating bill aid

The U.S. Congress this week extended funding for a federal program that provides heating assistance to needy Long Island residents, allaying state fears that the program would run out of money next month.

The Senate and House on Tuesday voted to approve $5.1 billion for the nation's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The approval allows New York to continue paying heating bills for more than 60,000 of the state's poorest residents through much of the winter. Nationwide, about 1.5 million households participate in heating assistance programs.

"This funding will allow New York's Home Energy Assistance Program to better meet the increased demand we are seeing in what has already been a cold winter," Gov. David A. Paterson said in a statement yesterday.

"Without this critical clarification of Congress' intent, we would have been forced to stop issuing regular HEAP benefits in early January."

Anthony Farmer, spokesman for the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, said officials should find out in the next few days how much HEAP money New York will receive. The amount approved Tuesday mirrors last year's funding level.

Suffolk County reported issuing 31,000 HEAP benefits so far this year. Nassau County reported providing about half that number from October 2009 through September 2010. The program makes payments directly to home heating suppliers on behalf of qualifying households.

Congress had approved a temporary spending measure at a reduced level that expired earlier this month. Paterson had joined governors of five other states to encourage Congress to appropriate more money for the program.

Residents on food stamps or welfare are automatically eligible for HEAP, while others must meet household income requirements to qualify.

"In New York, the winter is still going strong and we're worried about our population," said Milton Cullum, a supervisor at the Nassau County Department of Social Services.