Low-Income Customers Can Apply for Enhanced
Emergency Heating Assistance
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Feb. 18,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Grid and the National
Grid Foundation today announced a joint $1.4
million contribution to support the company's low-income and
emergency heating programs, the Care & Share Energy Fund and
the Neighborhood Heating Fund, which opened today.
The announcement follows the recent interruption of regular Home
Energy Assistance Program, or Regular HEAP, availability in
New York State. Regular HEAP funds
were exhausted on Jan. 21 due to
higher-than-normal enrollment in the federally funded program,
which provides grants to low-income customers to help them afford
their energy usage. On Jan 25, Gov.
Kathy Hochul reallocated unused
state funds to extend the program through the spring.
It also comes during an Upstate New York winter that is tracking
colder than previous years. According to the National Weather
Service, December 2024 was 24% colder
than December 2023, and January 2025 was 15% colder than the previous
year. Some Upstate regions have experienced more than 75 days at or
below the freezing temperature mark this winter. New York City and on Long Island customers experienced similar
temperatures — January 2025 was 20% colder than January 2024 and December
2024 was 32% colder than the previous year. When outdoor
temperatures drop, heating systems work harder to maintain a steady
indoor temperature. The result is customers using more energy to
heat their homes and businesses, leading to higher bills.
National Grid's investments in additional funds and enhanced
grants were lauded by the Public Utility Law Project, a consumer
advocacy group. "PULP commends National Grid for raising awareness
about its Care & Share Energy Fund and Neighborhood Heating
Fund – important programs that provide financial assistance to
low-income households struggling to afford their winter heating
bills," said Laurie Wheelock, PULP's
executive director and counsel. "With the Home Energy Assistance
Program temporarily closing and reopening in January, protective
measures like these are essential to ensuring New York's most vulnerable households can stay
safe and warm. We also appreciate National Grid's commitment to
supporting the low-income community by increasing the award amount
from $200 to $500 during these cold and uncertain
times."
"Affordability is front-of-mind for all of us, and these
programs directly assist customers in managing costs," said
Sally Librera, National Grid's New
York President. "We are committed to helping our customers stay
warm and safe this winter."
The contribution is comprised of National Grid shareholder funds
and an award from the National Grid Foundation, a registered
501(c)3 organization founded in 2000 to bring change that inspires
people and transforms communities.
"Core to the foundation's purpose is enhancing the quality of
life of those in the communities we serve," said Robert Simmons, National Grid Foundation
Executive Director. "Helping National Grid's most vulnerable
customers this winter is emblematic of our promise to the
community."
Funding will allow the company's two emergency heating funds to
provide enhanced grants of $500, up
from $200, to active National Grid
customers in Upstate New York and New
York City that have exhausted their HEAP allocations for the
year.
The Care & Share Energy Fund provides emergency
financial assistance to income-eligible individuals and families
who are having difficulty paying their heat-related energy bills in
National Grid's upstate New York
service area. National Grid customers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten
Island who live in a one- or two-family house or pay for
heat in their apartment can qualify for the Neighborhood Heating
Fund.
Both programs, administered by HeartShare Human
Services, opened today and will close when the funds are
exhausted. Eligible customers will receive one $500 grant per season. To qualify, applicants
must:
- Have an active National Grid account in their name.
- Have a household income that meets Home Energy Assistance
Program guidelines.
- Have exhausted all available HEAP assistance at the time of
application.
Affordability Solutions
National Grid has been promoting bill management programs and
solutions since October 2024 to
ensure customers are aware of available services and tools that can
help them save money during the cold weather. Using less and saving
more while staying warm is the underlying message of the company's
Here For You affordability campaign. The company's dedicated
website highlights bill management programs, energy efficiency
solutions and more.
Customers receiving Regular HEAP are automatically enrolled in
National Grid's Energy Affordability Program, or EAP. The program
provides monthly bill credits above and beyond what the customer
receives from HEAP. Customers may also be eligible for the EAP if
they participate in qualifying programs such as the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income,
Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, qualifying veterans'
pensions, or Native American benefit programs administered by
federal or tribal governments. To learn more about the program and
eligibility, or to apply, call 1-866-305-1915 or email
affordability@nationalgrid.com.
Emergency HEAP is available through the spring or until
funds are exhausted. Qualification is based on household size,
income, and a valid or current utility disconnection notice.
Customers must apply by telephone or in person through their HEAP
Local District Contact. These funds are limited and available on a
first come, first served basis.
Eligible customers may also qualify for HEAP's Heating Equipment
Repair and Replacement and Clean and Tune Benefits. More
information about those programs is available from the NYS Office
of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which administers the
programs.
Bill Payment Programs for All Customers
All
residential customers, regardless of income, qualify for
programs to manage energy costs.
The Budget Billing Plan spreads payments out more evenly
across the year to help better manage energy costs. Budget billing
smooths out peaks and valleys in customer bills, by using account
history to make bills more predictable. Accounts are reviewed
periodically to make minor adjustments and the company reconciles
the account with customers annually.
Deferred Payment Agreements aid customers who have
fallen behind in their payments. Customers with past-due accounts
can arrange to have their balance spread over multiple months to
create manageable payments and avoid disconnections.
Residential customers receiving Supplement Security Income,
Social Security Disability Insurance or a retirement pension, and
enrolled in an active payment agreement, may qualify for a 10-day
extension on their billing due date through the company's Bill
Extender Program.
Customers can learn about these programs by working with a
National Grid Consumer Advocate. Consumer Advocates work one-on-one
with customers to meet their home energy needs and can be reached
by calling 800-642-4272 or emailing
ConsumerAdvocatesUNY@nationalgrid.com.
About National Grid
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and
clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people
through our networks in New York
and Massachusetts. National Grid
is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future —
transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy
solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. For more information, please visit
our website, follow us on X, watch us
on YouTube, like us on Facebook, and find
our photos on Instagram.
About National Grid Foundation
National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of
life across its grant making territory. The Foundation's ongoing
challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational
and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle
that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential
ingredient in the development of individuals, families and
communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the
Foundation now in its 25th year has granted more than $38 million to local community organizations.
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SOURCE National Grid
