N.Y. Elder Law § 222: Senior citizen energy packaging pilot program

§ 222. Senior citizen energy packaging pilot program. 1. (a) The

legislature finds and declares that a significant percentage of the

state's senior citizens live at or below the poverty level. In many

cases, energy costs reach or exceed thirty percent of household income.

These factors make energy conservation efforts on behalf of low income

elderly crucial. The legislature further finds that energy conservation

programs have been under-utilized by such citizens because of such

factors as reduced mobility, social and physical isolation, and the

complexity of the maze of services available.

(b) The legislature therefore declares that a pilot program to assist

such citizens to conserve energy should be implemented by the office in

conjunction with county offices for the aging. The legislature further

declares that such a program will further the energy conservation

objectives of the state and should be partially supported by petroleum

overcharge restitution funds.

2. Within the amounts appropriated therefor, the office shall

establish guidelines for and administer a senior citizen energy

packaging pilot program to be carried out by county offices for the

aging in the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Broome, Erie, and Tompkins and

such other counties as funds may allow. Wherever possible, such program

shall be coordinated with appropriate existing programs of public

utilities, the state energy office, and the department of state.

3. These appropriations shall be used specifically for the training of

personnel within county offices for the aging to insure their thorough

familiarity with state and federal energy conservation programs and

benefits and their ability to facilitate receipt of such benefits by the

client population. These appropriations shall also be used to provide

salaries, appropriate benefits and expenses of such personnel in

carrying out the purposes of the pilot program. Depending on the size of

the client population to be served, no more than five of such personnel

shall be trained and utilized in any county.

4. The client population shall consist of those senior citizens living

at or below the poverty level. Whenever possible, priority shall be

given to serving first those in greatest need of assistance, including

but not limited to, home energy assistance program recipients.