LIPA Announces $10 Million Program to Assist Income-Eligible Seniors Pay Electric Bills

Qualifying participants can receive a one-time $200 bill credit

Uniondale, NY—Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) President and CEO Kevin S. Law today announced LIPA’s first “Income-Eligible Senior Energy Assistance Program,” which will provide financial assistance to qualifying seniors in paying their energy bills.

This $10 million dollar program will provide income-eligible seniors, who meet program requirements, with a one-time credit to their LIPA electric accounts of $200. Bill credits will be made to qualifying seniors on a first-come/first-served basis, based on the availability of program funds.

“As I continue to reform LIPA, cut-costs and re-examine our expenditures to help stabilize rates, I am pleased to offer some assistance to limited-income seniors, to help ease their burden,” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “Since taking over as the head of LIPA, the number one concern I have received in the form of a letter, phone call or email is from senior citizens on fixed income asking for some rate relief and thus, I am happy we can help our seniors out with this program.”

The Income-Eligible Senior Energy Assistance Program is funded from a rate mitigation package of funds realized largely through a settlement of disputed payments under a previous Management Services Agreement (MSA) with KeySpan and through savings obtained under the renegotiated MSA with National Grid after its announced merger with KeySpan.

Seniors who wish to participate in the Income-Eligible Senior Energy Assistance Program must meet the following requirements:

Must be 62 years of age or older
Must be a LIPA electric account holder
Must meet the income-eligible guidelines shown below

Household	Monthly Income Limit	Yearly Income Limit
1	$1,963	$23,556
2	$2,567	$30,804
3	$3,172	$38,064
4	$3,776	$45,312
5	$4,380	$52,560
6	$4,984	$59,808
7	$5,097	$61,164
8	$5,210	$62,520

Seniors, meeting these requirements, may apply in person at any LIPA Customer Service Center or by mail. Program information, including the location of LIPA’s Customer Service Centers and applications can be found on LIPA’s Web site at http://www.lipower.org/seniors or call 1-800-490-0025.

“Our low-income senior citizens are often the first to feel the pinch of higher prices,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. “We will work with our constituents to educate them on this progressive LIPA program.”

"This is a welcome program that enhances our existing resources to help senior residents in Nassau County," said Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. "I commend LIPA for this effort. Every little bit counts in helping our seniors make it through a cold winter season."

“This is a program that will have a significant impact on our seniors by providing real help. This LIPA credit will make it easier for those on a fixed income to live and enable them to use their money on other essential items. During these tough economic times, that will make a difference and I applaud LIPA for their efforts,” said Senator John Flanagan

“This credit is a lifeline for seniors who are struggling to make ends meet during these difficult economic times. I commend LIPA for helping low-income seniors save on energy expenses, which will allow them to spend more on the essentials,” said Assemblyman Marc Alessi.

"LIPA is to be commended for its consideration of the needs of seniors who live within its service area," said Assemblyman Steven Englebright.

“Seniors today are facing ever increasing burdens in order to make ends meet. I commend LIPA for establishing this program to assist those who need immediate relief,” said Assemblyman Tom McKevitt.

“With the cost of living at astronomical levels, any break is a step in the right direction. Hopefully, we’ll be able to bring relief to seniors in need,” said Assemblyman Joseph Saladino.

“I was pleased to join with LIPA President Kevin Law and my fellow legislative colleagues in announcing the creation of this important program for Long Island’s senior citizens,” said Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. “We are all keenly aware of the strained financial situations many of our local seniors are facing. It is important that programs like these are created and continue to assist those who are in need. I encourage those who think they may be eligible to apply and take advantage of these potential monies.”

“I commend the Long Island Power Authority for creating the Income-Eligible Senior Energy Assistance Program during these uneasy economic times. I urge all eligible seniors to take advantage of the one-time credit to reduce their household utility costs,” said Legislator Wayne Wink.

"This is a time in our economic life when we must recognize, as never before, the needs of our growing senior population, particularly in regard to energy costs. We want to keep our older residents in their homes and on Long Island. This program will help achieve that goal, by working along with other energy assistance programs to provide a buffer for the upcoming heating season," said Sharon Mullon, D. Min., Commissioner, Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs.

"I urge all eligible seniors in the Rockaways to take advantage of this one-time benefit to help mitigate the high cost of energy and utility bills," said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lilliam Barrios-Paoli. "Furthermore, seniors can realize additional savings by setting air conditioners at 78 degrees and closing their blinds during the heat of the day."

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2008, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency of service interruptions, and ranked second for duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org.

Media Contact Information
Vanessa Baird-Streeter
Phone - (516) 719-9230
Cell - (516) 640-0168
Media Pager - (516) 229-7248
media.relations@lipower.org

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