Gov. Kathy Hochul urged President Trump's administration on Monday to release $400 million in federal funds that the state can use to help 1.5 million New Yorkers heat their homes through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Hochul and upstate Rep. Paul Tonko are making the demand after the federal government reopened last week following a 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The state had not been able to start the program due to the shutdown, according to Hochul’s office.

HEAP provides eligible New Yorkers with a one-time payment toward their utility bills, such as electric and natural gas. Eligibility for the program is based on multiple factors, including income, household size, the primary heating source, and whether some household members are young children, seniors,

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