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Statement From Governor David A. Paterson on Release of LIHEAP Funds
“While it is certainly helpful that the President authorized the release of the $120.7 million of remaining contingency funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the current fiscal year, I continue to call on President Bush and Congress to fully fund the program at the authorized level of $5.1 billion in the next federal fiscal year, which would put New York’s funding level at roughly $500 million."
“The President’s funding proposal for the upcoming winter remains woefully inadequate and will put New Yorkers at risk. The $12.2 million being allocated for New Yorkers through the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) is a first step in helping us to meet our needs this winter, but even with this allocation New York would receive about $90 million less than last winter based on the President’s proposed budget. At a time when New Yorkers are facing unprecedented hikes in the cost of heating their homes, the President has proposed providing even less funding for HEAP than he did last winter, when prices were considerably lower. Now more than ever, we need an increase in federal commitment to keep the most vulnerable in our State warm this winter." Continue reading Statement From Governor David A. Paterson on Release of LIHEAP Funds...
Governor Paterson Announces Plan To Help Low-Income New Yorkers Cope With High Heating Costs This Winter
$49 Million Added to Low-Income Household Energy Efficiency Programs, Renews Call on Federal Government to Increase Funding for Heating Assistance - Governor David A. Paterson today announced a comprehensive package of state initiatives to help New York households reduce their energy use and spend less to heat their homes this winter. The package includes significant increases in benefits and changes to eligibility levels for the State’s heating assistance program, an additional $49 million for household energy efficiency programs, improved agency administration of efficiency and heating assistance programs, and expanded workshops to help homeowners and renters to reduce their energy use at little or no cost.
“The State has an obligation to help our residents get through this winter in any way we can. While we cannot influence world energy prices in any significant way, we can reduce the amount of energy we use and effectively lower our energy bills. The cheapest energy is the energy never used,” said Governor Paterson. “This is a first-step in New York’s efforts to address the high cost of heating fuel this winter. We are taking this action to provide additional funding to help the State’s residents reduce their energy bills, at little or no cost, while maintaining the level of comfort New Yorkers deserve.” Continue reading Additional Home Heating Assistance...
New York State Receives Federal Recognition for Child Support Enhancements
New E-File Project Draws Praise - New York State was recognized this week by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) for implementing a new electronic court filing process in New York City – a pilot project designed to improve the experience of children and families involved in the child support system.
The collaborative effort between the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and Office of Court Administration (OCA), received the Commissioner’s Award for Innovative Technology during the 18th National Child Support Enforcement Training Conference in Washington, D.C., Tuesday. Continue reading New York State Receives Federal Recognition for Child Support Enhancements...