Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that more than $328 million in home heating aid is now available for low and middle income New Yorkers who need assistance keeping their homes warm during the coming winter season.
Applications are now being accepted for the Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides federal funding to assist homeowners and renters with their heating costs during the cold weather months.
Eligible homeowners and renters may receive assistance of up to $741 from HEAP, overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, depending on income, household size and how they heat their home.
A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,019 or an annual gross income of $60,226 and still qualify for benefits, which is a modest increase from the previous year's threshold.
Applications for assistance are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone, with funding provided on a first come, first served basis.
New Yorkers who receive HEAP assistance this season and continue to fall behind on their utility bills or are running short on heating fuel may also qualify for a one time emergency HEAP benefit.
Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted starting on Monday, Jan. 4.
Anyone in need of emergency assistance should contact their local department of social services.
To qualify for these federally funded programs, applicants must meet HEAP eligibility criteria and income guidelines, which vary by household size.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo urged New Yorkers to prepare for snow and high winds as a system moves across the state tonight through Tuesday morning, bringing up to 10 inches of snow in some upstate locations and up to 50 mph wind gusts across much of the state.[break]
The combination of high winds and blowing snow in multiple locations may create hazardous travel conditions, including slippery surfaces, reduced visibility and power outages due to downed limbs and wires.
Most locations in Western and Central NY, Finger Lakes, North Country and Mohawk Valley will see 3 to 7 inches of snow, while some areas in the North Country and Central NY may see up to 10 inches of snow locally.
High winds will likely affect travel through Tuesday for locations throughout the state with many locations seeing up to 50 mph wind gusts.
Gusty winds can blow around unsecured objects and tree limbs could be broken, resulting in power outage.
In areas where new snow has fallen, winds could cause patchy blowing snow that reduces visibility and creates slippery surfaces.
A Lakeshore Flood Watch is in effect for northern Cayuga, Oswego and Jefferson counties through Tuesday morning.
The combination of winds and significant wave action may result in lakeshore flooding along the immediate lakeshore, especially in bays, inlets, harbors, and other low-lying areas along the shoreline.
Shoreline erosion is also possible.
Multiple weather advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service through Tuesday for several locations.
New Yorkers are urged to stay alert and monitor local weather forecasts for changing conditions. ■