HeartShare Human Services of New York is partnering with KeySpan Energy and ConEdison to provide assistance to low-income individuals and families

Brooklyn, NY —It may have been a mild winter but that does not mean that people have not been using their heat at night. For some, they are in danger of having their heat turned off just as the cold days of winter are approaching. However, help is available.

As it has in previous years, HeartShare Human Services of New York is partnering with KeySpan Energy and ConEdison to provide assistance to low-income individuals and families who are on the verge of having their heating services disconnected.

KeySpan customers in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island are now able to apply for grants up to $200 from KeySpan’s Neighborhood Heating Fund. Celebrating its 24th year, the Neighborhood Heating Fund awarded more than 2,800 grants last year. Customers may call (718) 422-4203 for applications. Applications also are available at various HeartShare programs and from many members of the New York City Council and New York State Assembly and Senate.

Grants from Con Edison’s EnergyShare program will be available in January. Customers in the five boroughs and Westchester who have received a disconnection notice may call (877) 480-7427 for more information in January. This is an emergency grant and can only be received once.

HeartShare has been chosen as the agency responsible for distributing these funds, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until all funds are exhausted. For both programs, applicants must fall within the guidelines of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Last year, HeartShare aided nearly 4,500 households throughout the five boroughs and Westchester thanks to the generosity of KeySpan, ConEdison, and charitable individuals who contributed to these heating funds. HeartShare urges everyone to give the gift of warmth to his or her friends and neighbors. Send contributions to the Neighborhood Heating Fund at: Neighborhood Heating Fund, PO Box 841, Buffalo, NY 14240. Send contributions to EnergyShare at: EnergyShare, PO Box 713, Buffalo, NY 14240. Contributions are 100% tax-deductible.

It is also important to note that HeartShare and Entergy Nuclear Northeast at Indian Point partner together in the hot days of summer through the Neighbor Fund. Started in 2003 by Entergy employee contributions and matched by Entergy, the fund offers grants of $50 to Con Edison customers through the only cooling fund in New York. Low income families need assistance in the summer as well during the cold winter months.
###

Celebrating its 92nd year, HeartShare is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that assists more than 17,000 New Yorkers. Its wide spectrum of services helps individuals with developmental disabilities, supports people affected by HIV/AIDS, provides counseling and after-school programs and assistance with foster care and adoption to children and families, and administers energy assistance programs.