SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

During the winter of 2005 -2006 home heating oil prices in New York State rose 21 percent from the prior year's prices and 60 percent over two years ago. Natural gas prices also rose in a similar fashion. At the same time, HEAP grant awards remained flat. Eligible households were estimated to number more than two million, and the increased number of applicants strained the program's ability to serve those in need.

To address this problem an additional $100 million dollars in State funds were appropriated to supplement federal HEAP funds in January 2006. The funds were intended to allow for increased base grant amounts and to provide more than a single emergency grant per household. This hearing will examine how the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) disbursed the Federal and supplemental State HEAP funds during the last winter's heating season. Other topics to be discussed may include, the number and makeup of households unable to pay for heating costs; the number of senior citizen receiving benefits and their percentage of the total recipient population; HEAP funded weatherization programs; and, the growth in the number of households dependent on HEAP.

Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact person listed on the reply form and/or may be submitted at the hearing registration desk.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at this public hearing on the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to:

Brian Snowdon
Legislative Analyst
Assembly Committee on Energy
Room 520 - Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
Email: snowdob@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4363
Fax: (518) 455-5182

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