Following Gillibrand Demands, Federal Government Releases Heat Assistance Funding To New York State

Today , following the federal government’s release of funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement: “I am relieved that the federal government has released heating assistance funding, allowing New York State to make these funds available to help New Yorkers heat their homes,” said Senator Gillibrand. “New Yorkers need relief now more than ever as temperatures drop and fuel prices soar because of President Trump’s war with Iran. I was proud to fight for the swift release of these funds, and I will continue working to make sure that New Yorkers have the assistance they need to stay warm this winter.” President Trump’s war with Iran has caused the price of oil to skyrocket, with prices currently hovering near $100 per barrel . That has driven the average cost of heating oil in New York up to $6.21 per gallon—a 67 percent increase from this time last year. As temperatures drop below freezing in New York, this cost increase is putting massive strain on New Yorkers’ budgets, making it hard for many to heat their homes. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay utility bills, address energy crises, and lower costs by improving home energy efficiency through weatherization. Last year, over 1.1 million in New York households received LIHEAP assistance to help them stay warm. Funding for LIHEAP was appropriated by Congress in the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 in September. After the funding was appropriated, Senator Gillibrand demanded that the Trump administration immediately release it to states for distribution to Americans in need. New York is slated to receive an estimated $356 million in LIHEAP funds. ###