Energy Assistance Options Remain Available for National Grid Customers During Winter Months

WALTHAM, MA (02/03/2011)(readMedia)-- 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 Massachusetts, LIHEAP is also known as Fuel Assistance and is managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development in conjunction with 22 regional nonprofit and local government organizations. To find out more, interested individuals can call 800-632-8175 or visit www.mass.gov/dhcd.
• In New Hampshire, where LIHEAP is also known as Fuel Assistance, the Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) is responsible for the statewide administration of the program. OEP then contracts with local Community Action Agencies (also known as CAAs) to provide service to eligible households. For information regarding the Community Action Agency serving your community, please visit the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning website at www.nh.gov/oep.
• In Upstate New York, call your county Department of Social Services or check the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's website at www.otda.state.ny.us for additional places to apply. If you are 60 years of age or older, 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 your county Department of Social Services or
  check the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's website at www.otda.state.ny.us
• In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources oversees low-income heating assistance. If you have any questions about the LIHEAP program, please visit the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources website at www.energy.ri.gov.

Earlier this year National Grid and the National Grid Foundation contributed a total of $1.2 million to heating assistance funds in New York and New England bringing to more than $7 million the amount given to heating funds since 2005, a more than 30 percent increase over last year by the two organizations.

The company provided funding to the Neighborhood Heating Fund (New York City HeartShare); Southern New Hampshire Services (Neighbor Helping Neighbor); Good Neighbor Energy Fund in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which are administered by the Salvation Army; the United Way of Central Massachusetts; the United Way of Long Island's Project Warmth program; and American Red Cross chapters throughout Upstate New York through Care & Share. The National Grid Foundation is providing support to the United Way of Massachusetts Bay; Catholic Charities of Albany; and the United Way of Long Island's Project Warmth program. All of these organizations provide heating assistance funds to qualified applicants regardless of which fuel they use to heat their homes.

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. Visit www.nationalgridus.com for more information on this and other payment programs.
• National Grid's website www.powerofaction.com features energy efficiency programs and saving tips, a list of qualified energy services companies and much more.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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