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Email: "HEAP receives boost from Sen. Gillibrand"
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WASHINGTON — With help from U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congress has provided $5.1 billion in funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program, better known as HEAP. In a news release issued by the senator’s office, this amount equals last year’s HEAP allotment and is also the largest amount Congress has ever approved to help senior citizens and low-income families heat their homes during the winter months. Sen. Gillibrand is also introducing legislation that would provide low interest loans and tax credits to help cover the costs of energy. In addition, she wants to help families and businesses take advantage of funding available to heat and weatherize homes, schools and businesses. “With the bad economy, job losses and rising energy costs, too many New York families are struggling to heat their homes and stay warm. My legislation will help more families afford heating with new tax credits and affordable loans,” the senator said. According to figures provided by the senator’s news release, in Western New York, close to $65 million was provided in nearly 130,000 direct checks to New York residents last year, an increase of nearly 25,000 more than two years ago. Under the senator’s proposed Home Heating Cost Relief Act, tax credits worth $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families would be available to help cover the costs of home heating fuel, gas and propane. This legislation, which was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy of Long Island, would also create a low interest loan program to provide up to $5,000 in loans at 1 percent interest to help families weatherize their homes. Any individual whose income is under $100,000 or $200,000 for joint filers would be eligible. Sen. Gillibrand’s news release quotes Congresswoman McCarthy as saying, “Many homes, particularly older homes, need new windows, more energy efficient furnaces and better insulation. The loan program will offer many homeowners the opportunity to make necessary home improvements to drive down their energy costs.”

 

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