AARP New York and Public Utility Law Project Urge Governor Hochul to Open Home Energy Assistance Program

HighwayStarz

ALBANY, N.Y. — Yesterday, in a joint letter, AARP New York and the Public Utility Law Project (“PULP”) called on Governor Kathy Hochul to open the Home Energy Assistance Program (“HEAP”) as scheduled on November 3rd and address the funding shortfall until federal funds are restored.

If the funding issue is not resolved and HEAP cannot be opened on Nov. 3, both groups urged the Governor to issue a statewide moratorium on utility service terminations for all residential electric, gas, and combination companies, including the Long Island Power Authority, until HEAP is restored and sorely needed benefits can once again reach eligible households.

AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel stated: “Now is not the time to delay heating assistance. New York State is in the middle of an energy affordability crisis, with more than 1.2 million households currently over 60 days behind on their energy bills. We urge the Governor to maintain this lifeline for millions of low-income New Yorkers, including older persons on fixed incomes, providing critical heating assistance during the winter months.”

PULP Executive Director Laurie Wheelock stated: “New York is facing an energy affordability emergency with HEAP’s opening delayed that requires immediate action. We urge Governor Hochul to use every tool the State has to protect vulnerable New Yorkers as the cold weather hits.”

HEAP served more than 1.5 million households last year, many of which include vulnerable individuals such as older adults. More than 53,000 service terminations happened across NYS in September alone. The state’s largest utility, which serves households in New York City and Westchester County, has terminated over 140,000 households for non-payment—an average of 15,500 households a month since January. This rate of termination has reached a historic peak, unmatched since the economic downturn of the late 2000s.

If you need immediate financial assistance:

· One Shot Deal (Emergency Energy Assistance): A one-time payment to prevent utility disconnections due to unpaid bills. (Repayment may be required.) This program is available year-round through your local Department of Social Services (DSS) or HRA office.

· Energy Affordability Program (EAP): Provides monthly bill discounts to low-income households. To apply, contact your utility company directly or visit the Department of Public Service’s website at: https://dps.ny.gov/energy-affordability-program.

Below is the full letter.

Connect with AARP New York on X: @AARPNY, Facebook: AARP New York and LinkedIn: AARP New York

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

About PULP

PULP is New York’s sole independent organization dedicated to empowering and protecting the rights of low-income utility consumers. For over 40 years, PULP has educated, advocated and litigated on behalf of affordability, consumer protection and universal access to utilities. To learn more, visit www.utilityproject.org or visit PULP at www.facebook.com/utilityproject.

October 30, 2025

Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of the State of New York
Executive Chamber
NYS Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Re: Providing New Yorkers in Need with Heating Assistance – HEAP

Dear Governor Hochul:

Our organizations applaud your leadership in providing a total investment of $106 million in new State funds for emergency food assistance that will reinforce New York’s network of vital food bank and pantry partners and provide millions of meals to hungry New Yorkers.

That leadership is urgently needed to address another crisis—ensuring people can heat and power their homes this heating season. We urge you to open the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) as scheduled on November 3^rd and to provide the necessary funding to maintain benefits until federal funds are restored.

If the funding issue is not resolved and the program cannot open on November 3, we believe the only responsible course of action would be for you to call for a statewide moratorium on utility service terminations for all residential electric, gas, and combination companies, including the Long Island Power Authority, until HEAP is restored and sorely needed benefits can once again reach eligible households.

We believe this is not the time to delay heating assistance. New York State is in the middle of an energy affordability crisis: more than 1.2 million households are currently over 60 days behind on their energy bills, collectively owing nearly $2 billion. In September alone, more than 53,000 terminations occurred statewide, about 1,800 individual households each day.

Our state’s largest utility, Con Edison, which serves households in New York City and Westchester County, has disconnected over 140,000 households for non-payment since January —an average of 15,500 households a month. This rate of termination has reached a historic peak, unmatched since the economic downturn of the late 2000s.

These risks extend beyond low-income households. If the federal government remains shut down, thousands of federal employees will lose income indefinitely, leaving them unable to meet basic expenses, including utility bills.

As you know, HEAP is a lifeline for millions of low-income New Yorkers, including older persons on fixed incomes, providing critical heating assistance during the winter months. According to your own data, the program served more than 1.5 million households last year, many of which include vulnerable individuals such as older adults.

Our state cannot sit idly by while service terminations continue without the safety net HEAP provides. We once again urge you to open HEAP as scheduled on November 3rd and provide the resources needed to protect New Yorkers from being left without heat this winter. If that is not possible, we urge you to initiate a statewide moratorium on utility service terminations for all energy utilities, including the Long Island Power Authority, until HEAP funds are restored

Sincerely,

Beth Finkel, AARP NY State Director
Laurie Wheelock, PULP Executive Director

CC:
Rory Christian,
Chief Executive Officer
NYS Department of Public Service

Carrie Meek Gallagher
Chief Executive Officer
Long Island Power Authority

Barbara C. Guinn
Commissioner
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

Appendix

1.    September 2025 Collections Activity Reports filed by the utilities in Case No. 91-M-0744.