#United States #Uniondale #financial assistance #PSEG Long Island #heating support

PSEG Long Island Hosts Community Events

As the winter heating season draws closer, PSEG Long Island is taking proactive steps to support customers facing challenges with their heating bills. The utility company is organizing three community events aimed at connecting residents with various financial assistance programs available at the state and federal levels. The focus is on helping those who are finding it difficult to keep their homes warm during the chilly months ahead.

Event Details

The community events are set to take place on the following dates and locations:

• - Monday, November 3

Location: Stop & Shop Parking Lot
Address: 999 Montauk Hwy, Shirley
Time: 1 PM - 5:30 PM
Note: The first 200 attendees will receive fresh produce from Long Island Cares.

• - Thursday, November 6

Location: UBS Arena Parking Lot
Address: 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
Time: 1 PM - 5:30 PM
Note: The first 200 attendees will receive fresh produce from Long Island Cares.

• - Thursday, November 13

Location: Key Food Parking Lot
Address: 20-20 New Haven Blvd, Far Rockaway, NY
Time: 1 PM - 5:30 PM

Commitment to Community Support

Brigitte Wynn, PSEG Long Island's Director of Revenue Operations, emphasized that even though PSEG does not provide natural gas or heating oil, they recognize the economic uncertainty many families are facing this fall. The company aims to ensure that all customers can maintain warmth in their homes throughout winter.

“We want to support our customers by providing resources, guidance, and access to energy efficiency programs,” said Wynn. “We encourage anyone struggling to pay bills to reach out to us for assistance.”

Available Assistance Programs

For customers who may have past-due balances on their accounts, PSEG Long Island urges them to visit their website, call the dedicated assistance number, or use the PSEG mobile app. They can help create personalized deferred payment agreements that align with each household's financial situation.

One significant program is the Residential Energy Affordability Partnership Program (REAP), which offers a free home energy audit and may install energy-saving measures for eligible income-based customers. For further information, interested parties can access PSEG’s dedicated assistance webpage.

In addition to local support, there's statewide assistance available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), intended to provide heating fuel grants based on household income and heating methods. HEAP is expected to open for applications on November 17.

An Emergency HEAP program exists to prevent disconnections for customers running low on heating fuel. This emergency aid is slated to commence on January 2, 2026, ensuring that no family has to face a freezing winter without the necessary heating.

Moreover, those who benefitted from last year's HEAP can qualify for the Household Assistance Program, potentially receiving up to $78 per month in discounts for the next 18 months.

Tips for Reducing Energy Costs

PSEG Long Island also offered practical advice for all customers on how to lower their energy bills this winter:

• - Insulate windows and doors with weather stripping to eliminate drafts.
• - Use ceiling fans in a clockwise direction on low settings to circulate warm air.
• - Adjust your thermostat down just one degree to see savings on your heating costs.
• - Consider a programmable thermostat to help manage energy usage when homes are unoccupied.
• - Switch to LED bulbs to reduce lighting charges significantly, as they consume less energy than traditional bulbs.
• - Utilize Time-of-Day rates to operate heavy appliances outside of peak hours.

With these initiatives and services, PSEG Long Island demonstrates a strong commitment to help its customers survive the winter heating season more comfortably. For more energy-saving strategies and information on available assistance, visit psegliny.com/saveenergyandmoney.

Conclusion

In challenging times where many families feel the strain of rising costs, especially during the cold winter months, initiatives like these provide not just financial support but a helping hand to stay warm. PSEG Long Island's community events aim to pave the way for stability, ensuring that no household has to face the winter alone.