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ALBANY---Gov. George Pataki has signed a bill which will allot another $100 million in emergency heating aid for the poor and elderly to augment federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
Last week, the state Legislature had reached an agreement that would double the state funding which Gov. Pataki had already proposed.
The new allocation is added to the $263 million in federal funds for HEAP. The money was being rapidly depleted with more and more New Yorkers applying for heating aid due to the high costs of home heating fuels.
The money will allow the HEAP program to remain open until April 15.
According to the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, about 2.4 million households are eligible for heating assistance. Grants range from $40 to $400 per household. More than 965,000 households received heating aid last year.
A family of four with an annual income of $41,616 would qualify. 1-29-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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