The New York State Senate

Section 2. Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

With New York State utility companies warning customers that their home
heating bills could rise 17% to 40% this winter, it is critical that
eligible low income New Yorkers continue to receive HEAP benefits with-
out interruption or the arduous, bureaucratic burden of reapplying every
year. Amid record inflation and continuing economic hardships caused by
the pandemic, low-income families will continue to struggle to make ends
meet and could resort to dangerous means to heat their homes this winter
such as gas stoves, space heaters, or even candles to save on their
heating bills. It is critical low-income New Yorkers are able to keep
their heating bills as low as possible this winter.

In some parts of the state, individuals and families who receive HEAP
benefits are already re-enrolled automatically if they qualify based on
their enrollment in other social service programs such as Public Assist-
ance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, and the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For example, New York City's Human
Resources Administration (HRA) has re-enrolled many HEAP recipients but
in many other parts of the state, New Yorkers need to reapply, and many
people don't even know whether they will be automatically re-enrolled or
not. This legislation would make automatic re-enrollment a uniform
requirement in every social services district throughout the slate,
ensuring all low-income New Yorkers continue to receive this critical
assistance in paying their rising heating bills this winter.

Last winter, more than 1.4 million regular HEAP benefits totaling $212
million were issued between October when the program opened and late
February, and an additional 28,000 emergency benefits totaling $25
million were provided between January 3 and late February, according to
the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.  A July 2021 U.S.
Office of Management and Budget Report to the President found that even
among those who are eligible for public benefits, administrative burdens

fall hardest on those who are economically marginalized, and reducing
these barriers across social services programs is an equity issue.

New York has an obligation to encourage HEAP enrollment by easing admin-
istrative burdens on struggling individuals and families. This bill
would accomplish that by requiring social services districts to automat-
ically re-enroll eligible households for HEAP benefits. Amid soaring
inflation and fuel costs, it is more critical than ever that all New
Yorkers who remain eligible for HEAP benefits are re-enrolled in the
program to protect their health and safety.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To Be Determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.