The North Country and the rest of New York State will get more funds to help people heat their homes as Congress has approved legislation that includes that money.

More funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been approved by both houses and signed by President Obama.

“These additional funds should help the state to continue issuing HEAP benefits into March, when final funding for LIHEAP will be decided,” said Gov. David Paterson. “Under the Senate’s original budget proposal, New York stood to receive just $276.7 million, a reduction of more than $200 million from the $479 million we received last year,” putting some less-well-off households in jeopardy, the governor said.

“We would have been forced to stop issuing regular HEAP benefits in early January, leaving tens of thousands of senior citizens and low-income households without the help they count on to cover their heating bills in the winter months,” said the governor, whose term expires at the end of the year.

“This welcomed action will provide much-needed relief to New Yorkers struggling to find a way to afford the rising cost of heating their homes. I want to thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and our entire Congressional Delegation for their support of this vital program,” Gov. Paterson said