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ALBANY, NY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today announced the award of $412.5 million in funding from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for New York State.  This funding will help low-income individuals and families in the Capital Region and across New York pay for home heating costs this winter as well as cover unpaid utility bills.  These funds will also help families make cost-effective home energy retrofits to lower their heating and cooling bills in future years.

“As we enter into the winter months, more Americans are facing the burden of rising home energy costs, a burden that will be felt most poignantly by low-income families,” Congressman Tonko said.  “I pushed hard to include additional funding for LIHEAP, and I’m thankful to have secured these critical federal dollars for individuals and families in our Capital Region and beyond.  I will continue to do everything in my power to provide the relief New Yorkers need and ensure that every family can afford their home energy bills.”

Today’s announcement includes an additional $1 billion appropriated nationwide by Congress to address rising energy costs. Individuals and families interested in applying for home energy assistance can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline toll-free at 1-866-674-6327.

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