AARP NY Lauds Governor for Signing Bill to Help Increase Number of Seniors Getting Energy Relief Benefits

ALBANY, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today on Governor Hochul’s signing of legislation (S.8760/A.9369) that will assist in the enrollment of eligible older individuals receiving low-cost prescription drug benefits into a federal program that helps with utility costs.

“By signing this legislation into law, the Governor strengthens her efforts to make New York a more affordable place to live by helping older adult New Yorkers who are eligible for our Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) get enrolled in the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). She recognizes the fact that far too many of our older residents struggle to make ends meet, often having to choose between paying for food, rent, medications or utility bills.

We thank the bill’s sponsors, Senator Cordell Cleare, of Harlem, and Assemblymember John McDonald, of Cohoes, for championing this common-sense legislation that will help so many older New Yorkers ease their financial burden.”

The Legislature unanimously passed the bill toward the end of its 2024 session, with the Senate approving the measure by a vote of 60-0 and the Assembly by a vote of 145-0.

The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority released a report from Columbia University showing that while a million households with older citizens were eligible for HEAP in 2017, fewer than 400,000 participated.
 
This new law will establish a collaboration between the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Department of Health and the Office for the Aging to help enroll EPIC enrollees into HEAP. In addition, there will be no added cost to New York taxpayers because HEAP is a federal funded utility bill assistance program.
 
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 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.

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