Candidate Maltese to redefine the HEAP Program

Maryann Maltese, Democratic, candidate for NYS Assembly 12th AD; will introduce legislation to redefine the HEAP Program (Home Energy Assistance Program) to include Wireless Telephone and WIFI coverages.

With the necessity and expanding technology of using WIFI to function in our daily lives; programs like HEAP need to be brought into the 21st Century and provide low income Long Islanders with assistance to cover their Wireless/WIFI provider bills. On average, the triple play, phone, tv and internet services can cost anywhere from $100.00-$150,00 per line. If a consumer falls into arrears; especially now that many of us have been negatively impacted by COVID 19- not having WIFI or Wireless services is the end of communication access in so many ways. We need WIFI or Wireless to make an emergency call-even to contact 911; so again expanding HEAP programming to include these services is permutable with bill language to support it. "I will be that Member that get's it done", said Maltese.

Technology is expanding and the usage of WIFI has become our means of usage to run some Heating and Cooling Systems, said Maryann Maltese. This is the reality as NYS advances within broadband-we need to update our consumer service programs, such as HEAP to meet the needs of New Yorkers who are eligible.

NYS offers rebates to purchase Green technology appliances/SMART and these appliances/devices often require the usage of WIFI to be operational- therefore expanding the HEAP program to cover low income seniors or for those of us Impacted by COVID 19 or who have fallen behind in paying their Wireless or WIFI bills on time could use a little assistance. "Additionally, introducing a Bill to include Wireless and WIFI service providers within the Home Energy Assistance Program expands upon NYS's commitment to ensuring that Social Service programs, such as HEAP grow and include aspects of our lives for low income residents in need", said Maryann Maltese.

Many of us do not use landline phone service any longer, it's too costly to have both and we depend on WIFI and Wireless as our means to function within our daily lives and in our homes. NYS is expanding broadband communications technology every day, but many State Governments have not expanded their social service programs to help low income or disabled residents off-set the costs for these every day devices which require WIFI usage. It is necessary for NYS to expand the intent and language of the HEAP program so that WIFI and Wireless billing is covered for those in need, said Maryann Maltese.

In the interim, the Federal Communications Commission provides support for telephone wire fees through Lifeline Support, a third party vender, for those who meet poverty income levels and you can check out their website for the application, but again, NYS needs to expand their arms to provide assistance to consumers who rely on WIFI or Wireless services, said Maltese.

Maryann Maltese is a tenured semi-retired NYS Legislative Regional Communications Director/Chief of Staff and long time resident of Huntington.

It's almost impossible to function without Wireless or WIFI, and the cost of "services" is growing. With Pandemic COVID 19 and other former crisis's its become relevant for NYS to introduce legislation to expand programs, like HEAP, so that consumers who fall behind in paying their Wireless or Wifi home bills can keep their services on, said Maryann Maltese. NYS is innovative, we are the leader in working with industry professionals to help pass on assistance to low income or vulnerable populations. Presently, low income or those impacted by COVID 19 can apply for HEAP benefits to from $400 to $800 to assist them with heating, electrical billing or to help off-set costs in purchasing cooling systems. All of these new advances in technology rely on WIFI usage and COVID 19 has educated not only me, but all of us, the need is to revamp some of our existing consumer assistance programs, such as HEAP to include WIFI and Wireless consumer billing.

Once I win the NYS Assembly 12th election, I will introduce the legislative bills necessary to include WIFI and Wireless company billing services to be included for low income or special need populations within the HEAP program. The reasoning for the legislative bill introduction advances in Major Household Appliances; including heating and cooling system require WIFI communication sources to operate and NYS needs to hear it and realize; consumers need relief with their utility bills and WIFI and Wireless are utility oriented and essential and need to be included, said Maryann Maltese.

Maryann Maltese has 30 Years of Campaign Management Experiences for Federal and State Elections. Maryann is a Constituent Matters Expert with strong emphasis on community based programming. Maryann is committed to her district.

To share your thoughts with Maryann on perspective state legislative bill concepts; reach out to maryannmaltesefornysassembly@gmail.com. Let's gear up for our Race in the 12th AD.