{"id":814256,"date":"2025-02-18T10:13:24","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T15:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/national-grid-and-national-grid-foundation-add-1-4-million-to-heating-assistance-funds\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T10:13:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T15:13:24","slug":"national-grid-and-national-grid-foundation-add-1-4-million-to-heating-assistance-funds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/national-grid-and-national-grid-foundation-add-1-4-million-to-heating-assistance-funds\/","title":{"rendered":"National Grid and National Grid Foundation Add $1.4 Million to Heating Assistance Funds"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PR Newswire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Low-Income Customers Can Apply for Enhanced Emergency Heating Assistance<\/p>\n

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\n BROOKLYN, N.Y.<\/span>
\n <\/span>, Feb. 18, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ — National Grid and the National Grid Foundation today announced a joint $1.4 million<\/span> contribution to support the company’s low-income and emergency heating programs, the Care & Share Energy Fund and the Neighborhood Heating Fund, which opened today.<\/p>\n

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The announcement follows the recent interruption of regular Home Energy Assistance Program, or Regular HEAP, availability in New York State<\/span>. Regular HEAP funds were exhausted on Jan. 21<\/span> due to higher-than-normal enrollment in the federally funded program, which provides grants to low-income customers to help them afford their energy usage. On Jan 25<\/span>, Gov. Kathy Hochul<\/span> reallocated unused state funds to extend the program through the spring.<\/p>\n

It also comes during an Upstate New York winter that is tracking colder than previous years. According to the National Weather Service, December 2024<\/span> was 24% colder than December 2023<\/span>, and January 2025<\/span> was 15% colder than the previous year. Some Upstate regions have experienced more than 75 days at or below the freezing temperature mark this winter. New York City<\/span> and on Long Island<\/span> customers experienced similar temperatures \u2014\u00a0January 2025 was 20% colder than January 2024<\/span> and December 2024<\/span> was 32% colder than the previous year. When outdoor temperatures drop, heating systems work harder to maintain a steady indoor temperature. The result is customers using more energy to heat their homes and businesses, leading to higher bills.<\/p>\n

National Grid’s investments in additional funds and enhanced grants were lauded by the Public Utility Law Project, a consumer advocacy group. “PULP commends National Grid for raising awareness about its Care & Share Energy Fund and Neighborhood Heating Fund \u2013 important programs that provide financial assistance to low-income households struggling to afford their winter heating bills,” said Laurie Wheelock<\/span>, PULP’s executive director and counsel. “With the Home Energy Assistance Program temporarily closing and reopening in January, protective measures like these are essential to ensuring New York’s<\/span> most vulnerable households can stay safe and warm. We also appreciate National Grid’s commitment to supporting the low-income community by increasing the award amount from $200<\/span> to $500<\/span> during these\u00a0cold\u00a0and uncertain times.”<\/p>\n

“Affordability is front-of-mind for all of us, and these programs directly assist customers in managing costs,” said Sally Librera<\/span>, National Grid’s New York President. “We are committed to helping our customers stay warm and safe this winter.”<\/p>\n

The contribution is comprised of National Grid shareholder funds and an award from the National Grid Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 organization founded in 2000 to bring change that inspires people and transforms communities.<\/p>\n

“Core to the foundation’s purpose is enhancing the quality of life of those in the communities we serve,” said Robert Simmons<\/span>, National Grid Foundation Executive Director. “Helping National Grid’s most vulnerable customers this winter is emblematic of our promise to the community.”<\/p>\n

Funding will allow the company’s two emergency heating funds to provide enhanced grants of $500<\/span>, up from $200<\/span>, to active National Grid customers in Upstate New York and New York City<\/span> that have exhausted their HEAP allocations for the year.<\/p>\n

The Care & Share Energy Fund<\/a>\u00a0provides emergency financial assistance to income-eligible individuals and families who are having difficulty paying their heat-related energy bills in National Grid’s upstate New York<\/span> service area. National Grid customers in Brooklyn<\/span>, Queens<\/span>, and Staten Island<\/span> who live in a one- or two-family house or pay for heat in their apartment can qualify for the Neighborhood Heating Fund<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Both programs, administered by HeartShare Human Services,<\/a>\u00a0opened today and will close when the funds are exhausted. Eligible customers will receive one $500<\/span> grant per season. To qualify, applicants must:<\/p>\n