NYSEG's Hardship Protection allows NYSEG to contact DSS/other services for help with hardship case situations. Customers may be eligible for special protections if they have a serious medical condition, use life-sustaining equipment, have a member of the household in the hospital, or all members of the household are blind, disabled or 62 years of age and older.

Low-income customers have several programs available to them from National Fuel Gas. The utility provider offers grants, weatherization, direct financial assistance, and other services for low-income families, seniors, and the disabled.

Receive reduced rates on utility bills, debt forgiveness, and in general more stable bills from the Low Income Customer Affordability Assistance Program (LICAAP) offered by National Fuel. Aid from the program is targeted at people who meet HEAP income guidelines, but some exceptions may be made from time to time. The amount of aid is limited, and it is a first come first serve program.

Seniors who are struggling with paying their bills may be able to get financial help from the Elderly, Blind or Disabled Payment Troubled Residential Assistance Program. It can offer qualified customers with emergency heating equipment repair/replacement, a lower monthly gas rate and bills, debt forgiveness, and conservation measures. Aid is offered for customers who are at least 62 years of age, disabled, or blind.

National Fuel Gas Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund - Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund is open year-round and helps qualified customers, aged 55 years or older, or have a certified medical condition, or are disabled, or are currently receiving unemployment benefits or are a veteran, to prevent an energy emergency. Provides home heating grants to people facing a disconnection or who are faced with an emergency or financial hardship. Program is funded by customer donations. All of these donations are used to help less fortunate customers pay their utility bills, including heating and electric.

Smell gas, leave fast! If a rotten-egg natural gas odor is present, leave the premises immediately and call National Fuel’s emergency line, 1-800-444-3130, from a different location. If you smell gas outdoors, call National Fuel’s emergency number and provide the address nearest to the site of the odor. To learn more about natural gas safety, visit www.nationalfuel.com/utility/gas-safety.

Call National Fuel for more information.

Utility services.

The Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs.

Residents of Albany and Rensselaer Counties- contact this program at (518) 486-8020 and leave a detailed message with your contact information. A caseworker will call you back to discuss assistance options.

Phone: (518) 486-8020

Home Energy Assistance Program. Home energy assistance program is for low income households. The eligibility is monthly income

Utility Assistance

Fuel Dealer. Fuel type provided: Kerosene, Blend and Oil.

Office for Aging runs the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) which provides certification services to Broome County residents 60+ yrs or disabled persons <60 yrs on SSI or SSD who meet income guidelines for financial assistance with energy costs. Can also provide referrals for fuel or utility emergencies.

The NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, (NYSERDA), operates the Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star program. This program offers income-qualified homeowners a grant to cover energy-saving improvements, such as: insulation, doors, windows, and furnaces. Also offers low interest loans without regard to income level.