This morning, the New York State Weather Station in Eldred reported 4°F with a wind chill making it feel like -12°F. It’s freezing everything and everybody in sight. So, it wasn’t a big shock to me when I read a social media post that the Mahogany Ridge Hunting and Fishing Club has postponed their Annual Ice Fishing and Pig Roast scheduled for Saturday, February 7^th at Sand Beach Restaurant due to this freezing weather. The new date for the festival will be held this coming Saturday, February 14^th. All the details I wrote about last week remain the same. Can you just imagine what the wind chill is on the surface of the ice at Highland Lake in 4-degree temperature? Yikes! See you all at Sand Beach on February 14^th.

There has been a new energy policy passed by Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State that just may give us a break on our utility bills. For many years there has been the Energy Affordability Programs (EAP) that we know as HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) assistance for low-income consumers who are usually also eligible for SNAP, Medicaid and other government sponsored programs based on their income. The Enhanced Energy Assistance Program, launched in January, is a two-year pilot expanding state energy aid for moderate-income consumers. Its goal is to help lower energy costs in response to supply charges in New York rising over 100% from 2020 to 2025. 

The EEAP Program will provide discount credit on either your NYSEG or Orange and Rockland bill although the amount of the discount will vary. To qualify, you must only have a utility bill in your name and be a homeowner or renter. Income verification is required: the EEAP Program income limits are $69,477 for one person, $90,854 for two, $112,232 for three, and $133,609 for four. Apply online at www.eeap.com, and upload income verification documents that apply to you such as paychecks, tax forms, social security award letters, unemployment records, or pension statements. If you have any questions, call 877-400-2501. Afterwards you will receive an enrollment letter from your utility provider with the results of your application and if approved credit will then appear as an Energy Affordability Credit within the next two billing cycles. 

Once approved for EEAP, consumers will be enrolled for eighteen months. After that consumers will need to reapply, and enrollment periods and eligibility may be subject to change. And for those who have asked for or need additional heating assistance during this brutal winter, I spoke to the Sullivan County Department of the Aging recently and was told that both regular HEAP and emergency HEAP funds are still available, and they are accepting applications and will be until April 7^th or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Please call the Department of Aging 845-807-0241 to find out what options are still available for you to get help with your winter heating cost.