Senator Cordell Cleare has called for Gov. Hochul to help out New York City Senior Citizens.
During her annual National Senior Citizens Day in Harlem, elected officials and local organizers gave out fresh produce, groceries, and community resources to more than 1,300 senior citizens. In a statement, Cleare said, “The National Senior Citizens Day in Harlem is a shining example of community collaboration and a tribute to the trailblazers who have nurtured, mentored, shared their wisdom, and sacrificed so much for us.”
She continued, “This event celebrates our elders, on whose shoulders we stand, who have paved the way for us, and who continue to contribute so much to our community. They are truly deserving of this recognition.”
The event also honored multiple centenarians: Irene Billips, Ottiene Sanders, and Charlotte Patton who are all 102 years old, and Walter Micheaux, who is 103 years old. “Today, we honor the unwavering strength and enduring legacy of our senior citizens- the true foundation of our communities,” Senator Robert Jackson said. “Standing in solidarity with leaders like Senator Cleare and our community partners, we reaffirm our commitment to empower and uplift our elders, ensuring they continue to live with dignity in the city they helped build.”
Last year, Bill 8760A was introduced to legislation by Cleare, which requires the “State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to automatically identify and enroll participants in the state’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) into the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to help lower the cost of their heating and cooling bills.”
“As chair of the Aging Committee, I advocate for our elders daily, from senior housing to closing the waitlist for senior services, increasing funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and securing more monies to provide nursing services for our Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities,” Cleare said. “I want to continue to create essential legislation; protect and promote resources, and successful health programs; and … bring benefits to seniors in our communities.”
This bill has already been passed in the State Assembly and Senate, however, it is now awaiting to be signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul so that it can become law. While at a press conference, Sen. Cleare urged Gov. Hochul to sign the bill to help out Senior Citizens especially because of extreme weather conditions.
“For the last two summers, we have endured sweltering temperatures and continue to urge our residents to take precautions and protect themselves during these heat waves,” Cleare said. “Black people suffer disproportionately from heat-related illnesses and even death, due to economic, environmental, and health disparities. However, as the cooler months approach, we want to ensure that our older New Yorkers are able to take advantage of all of the state’s heat-related benefits as well.”
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins added, “Our seniors are invaluable members of our community and need assistance to help pay their energy bills and stay safe. Automatic enrollment in HEAP [Home Energy Assistance Program] for New Yorkers already receiving EPIC is common-sense legislation that will ensure our seniors in need can benefit from this program.”
“It’s hard to imagine why the governor wouldn’t sign this common-sense bill. Doing otherwise would only leave millions of federal dollars on the table, and thousands of older New Yorkers without the help they need, and deserve, with home heating and cooling costs,” chimed AARP New York Associate State Director Reggie Nance. “The legislature has done its part. Now it’s up to Governor Hochul.”