Long Island, NY - January 22, 2014 - With winter in full swing, National Grid reminds customers that applications are still being accepted for the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that provides income-eligible families assistance in paying their energy bills.

LIHEAP payments vary depending on household income, household composition and heating fuel costs in relation to income. If a household receives public assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or food stamps, the household will most likely be eligible for LIHEAP benefits. If a household is not receiving public assistance, it still may be eligible if the gross monthly household income is at or below income guidelines based on household size.

Since LIHEAP funding is limited, customers who feel they may qualify for the funds should contact LIHEAP immediately. The LIHEAP application process varies by state.

• In Upstate New York, please visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website at www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap to determine how to apply in your area or call your local county Department of Social Services. If you are 60 years of age or older, and need information on applying, please call your county Office for the Aging.
• In Downstate New York, for your convenience, applications are accepted by HEAP personnel at National Grid Customer Service Centers from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. If you are 60 years of age or over, or if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please call 311 for information on how to apply. If you have any questions about the HEAP program, please contact the NYC HEAP Hotline at 800-692-0557.
• On Long Island and in the Rockaways, call the HEAP information line for your area: Nassau County (516) 565-4327 :: Suffolk County (631) 853-8820 :: The Rockaways (800) 692-0557
• If you are age 60 or older, you may apply by mail. To request an application please call: Nassau County (516) 227-7386 :: Suffolk County (631) 853-8326 :: The Rockaways (929) 221-5862
• HEAP information is also available on the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s website at www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap .

This year the National Grid Foundation donated $385,000 to heating assistance funds in New York and New England, including donations of $150,000 to Long Island United Way's Project Warmth and $75,000 to Catholic Charities of Albany Emergency Energy Assistance Fund. National Grid donated another $800,000 to heating funds this year, for total donations of approximately $1.2 million between the company and the National Grid Foundation. Since 2005, the company and the Foundation have made heating fund donations that exceed $9 million.

There are several other programs available to National Grid customers to help manage energy costs:

• Low-income discount rate – Discount rates are available to many National Grid electricity and/or natural gas customers, based on service area and certain eligibility requirements. For more information about availability of low-income rates and to determine eligibility, customers should contact National Grid or their local energy assistance agency, Community Action Agency or state department of social services.
• Billing Options – National Grid has billing programs to help customers spread payments out more evenly across the year, which are particularly helpful to those on fixed incomes. Visitwww.nationalgridus.com for more information on this and other payment programs.
• Visit National Grid’s website for energy efficiency programs and saving tips, a list of qualified energy services companies, and much more.

About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins everything up’.

In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. 

National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

For more information please visit their website.