Schumer aid plan would help pay for home heating oil

Reid J. Epstein

Jul. 14, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- While record-high gas prices are putting a crimp in Long Islanders' pocketbooks this summer, soaring home heating oil costs will be a shock this winter, Sen. Charles Schumer said yesterday.

Schumer's office estimated that Long Islanders will pay a whopping $526 million more for home heating oil this winter than last.

Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he and Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind.-Vt.) plan to introduce a bill this week to add $2.53 billion to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides direct aid to help families cover high home heating bills.

"Given the high cost of heating oil now, and the fact that it probably will go up, we should be doing this now," he said.

Schumer said he hopes the legislation will quickly pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support from lawmakers from the Northeast, where fuel oil is most commonly used.

The average Long Island homeowner can expect to see a $966 jump in the price of home heating oil for the heating season, Schumer said. The average New York City resident who uses heating oil will see a $720 jump this winter.

The average New York State family using fuel oil to heat their home paid $1,996 last winter.

Nassau County households will pay an additional $239 million, with Suffolk doling out $287 million more under Schumer's calculations. It will cost New York City heating oil buyers $719 million more this winter than last, he estimated.

LIHEAP benefits, which are distributed by New York State, are dispensed on a first-come, first-served basis by county social services agencies. Because many renters are not eligible for the program, aid is typically targeted toward senior citizens on fixed incomes who cannot afford the hefty price increase.

"They're retired and on a fixed income," Schumer said. "When you're on a fixed income, a $720 increase is a lot of money."

COSTS HEAT UP

--$966: Average jump in price of home heating oil for an LI family this winter

--$720: Average jump in price of home heating oil for an NYC family this winter

--$1,996: Average amount a New York State family paid for heating oil last winter

Newstex ID: KRTB-0134-26648337