Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Feb. 18, announced $15 million in additional funding is available to eligible New Yorkers to help with heating bills. Beginning Tue., Feb. 19, households in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off may apply for a second emergency benefit through the Home Energy Assistance Program. The governor also announced the extension of the application period for both regular and emergency HEAP benefits until April 26. Under normal circumstances, households can receive one regular HEAP benefit each winter, and one emergency HEAP benefit in the event of a crisis. Beginning Tuesday, households that have already received a regular and emergency benefit during the current season will be able to apply for additional assistance if they are faced with the possibility of having a utility shut off or running out of heating fuel without the means to replace it. In a statement released by his office, Cuomo cited the cold temperatures and snowfall in recent weeks as the rationale behind the decision. The statewide demand for emergency HEAP benefits remains high, with more than 35,000 households seeking assistance so far this year. A link to a list of Local District HEAP contacts can be found on the WGXC Newsroom page. Read the full press release at www [dot] governor [dot] NY [dot] gov.