Need Help With Your Heating Bill? Try LIHEAP

NEW YORK CITY – New York families struggling with heating costs this winter will receive support through $360 million in federal funding recently announced by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

The funding, delivered through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), aims to help thousands of low-income households across New York City and State pay energy bills and cover the cost of heating system repairs.

New Yorkers interested in applying for assistance can check their eligibility on the LIHEAP Eligibility Tool or visit energyhelp.us. Alternatively, they can contact the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline at (866) 674-6327.

Patch made several attempts to dial the NEAR hotline, none of which were successful due to “high call volume.”

The aforementioned eligibility tool directs applicants to visit their local LIHEAP office. For Manhattan, that’s the New York City HRA Benefits Access Center Lower Manhattan, at 109 East 16th Street, 1st Floor, just off Union Square. They’re reachable by phone at (718) 557-1399, although readers, be forewarned: calling that number also leads to a somewhat impenetrable phone system.

If you’re able to successfully apply, LIHEAP funds may be used to assist with home heating bills, prevent shutoffs, reconnect disconnected energy services, and cover minor energy-related home repairs. The program also provides cooling assistance during the summer.