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I N T H E N E W S
National Grid Encourages Customers
to Explore Options for Heating Assistance
Applications are now being
accepted for the federally-funded
Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to
assist income-eligible families in
paying their energy bills, and
National Grid is reminding customers
to see if they qualify.
“National Grid knows that
energy costs will be challenging
to some of our customers this
winter and through the power of
action, we are reaching out to
remind customers that LIHEAP
may be one way they can help
meet that challenge,” said Tom
King, president of National Grid
in the U.S.
LIHEAP payments vary
depending on household income,
household composition and heating
fuel costs in relation to
income. If a household receives
public assistance, Supplemental
Security Income (SSI), or food
stamps, the household will most
likely be eligible for LIHEAP benefits.
If a household is not receiving
public assistance, it still may
be eligible if the gross monthly
household income is at or below
income guidelines based on
household size. In 2008, the
income level qualifications in
New York has been expanded,
allowing more individuals to
qualify.
Since LIHEAP funding is limited,
customers who feel they may
qualify for the funds should contact
LIHEAP immediately – applications
are being accepted now
for the 2008-2009 heating season.
The LIHEAP application
process varies by state.
In New York State, eligibility
for LIHEAP is determined by your
county Department of Social
Services. If you’re 59 or under
and applying for the first time,
call your county Department of
Social Services. If over 60, contact
your local NYS Office for the
Aging. You can also call the
LIHEAP hotline at 1-800-342-
3009.
There are several other programs
available to National Grid
customers to help manage energy
costs:
• Low-income discount rate –
Discount rates are available to
many National Grid electricity
and/or natural gas customers,
based on service area and certain
eligibility requirements.
For more information about
availability of low-income rates
continued on page 98
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OUR TOWN • DECEMBER 2008