Senator Schumer announced yesterday that the U.S. department of Health and Human Services will be allocating over $326 million to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Many New York residents rely on this service to pay their heating bills during the winter.

Schumer and Gillibrand pushed to have the highest level of funding possible given to this program. Schumer says that this decision will force fewer people to decide between food and heat this winter. The senators say that October marks the beginning of the heating season.

HEAP helps hundreds of thousands of seniors and low income families, according to Schumer.

Originally Written By: Krystal Cole