Forecasts Bring Calls For More Funding For Home Heating
BY JOHN TOSCANO

Padavan announced he will introduce legislation that will authorize New York City to reduce or eliminate its portion of the state sales tax on home heating fuels.

Stung by forecasts of higher energy costs this winter, public officials are scrambling for ways to ease the pain for homeowners.

United States Senator Charles Schumer, warning of a record 25 percent hike in home heating fuel, called on President George W. Bush to release $150 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI HEAP) now instead of waiting until the high cost of fuel hits later on.

Meanwhile, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced the start of this season's Home Heating Assistance Program, (HEAP), which this year includes an increase in payments for low-income New Yorkers.

The federally funded HEAP program assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs. Spitzer said HEAP has begun accepting applications as of November 1 through local Departments of Social Services.

In Albany, state Senator Frank Padavan (R- C, Bellerose) announced he will introduce legislation that will authorize New York City to reduce or eliminate its portion of the state sales tax on home heating fuels.

Last year, such a bill was passed by the state legislature but the City Council failed to take advantage of it.

Padavan said that eliminating the sales tax on fuel oil or capping it at 8 cents a gallon would save homeowners money.

Schumer said there's the possibility that home heating costs will soar to $380 more per household in New York City.

An official in the Spitzer administration, David Hansell, Commissioner of the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) said, "In keeping with Gov. Spitzer's pledge to increase the economic security of our low-income working families, we are making HEAP benefits available to the greatest number of families as possible."

This season, the maximum regular benefit a household can receive will increase by 23 percent to $540, up from $440 last year.

In addition, OTDA has increased eligibility levels to the maximum allowed under law. For example, a family of four with household income of as much as $43,308- up from $40,716 a year ago- would be eligible for energy assistance this year.