Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D- Dutchess/Columbia) called on Governor Kathy Hochul to use existing state funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to ensure that 1.5 million New Yorkers can access this vital program. New York’s federally-allocated HEAP funding has been delayed due to the recent government shutdown, and while the HEAP application will open on November 24th, applications will only be processed if the federal government provides funds.

“As winter approaches and the temperatures drop, we simply cannot wait for the federal government to release New York’s allocated funding for HEAP,” said Assemblymember Barrett, Chair of the Assembly’s Energy Committee. “While I commend the Governor for demanding the immediate release of federal HEAP funding, the state must fund HEAP now – with existing NYSERDA funding or rainy day reserves – to protect our most vulnerable New Yorkers”

In the letter sent November 19, 2025, Assemblymember Barrett noted that other programs that Governor Hochul encouraged residents to apply for, like the Energy Affordability Program (EAP), do not cover deliverable fuels like home heating oil and propane, which millions of New Yorkers – especially in more rural communities – depend on to heat their homes.