ALBANY - New York will help needy families winterize their homes this year through a new fee on all New Yorkers' electric bills.

State officials said the fee - about equal to the cost of a cup of coffee a month - will help families improve the energy efficiency of their homes and stay warmer as heating fuel prices rise sharply.

In total, New York will add $49 million to the cause. That's a fraction of the $800 million Assembly Democrats said was necessary to keep poorer New Yorkers from choosing between heat and food. But with cold months approaching and the Legislature unable to agree on a spending increase that would draw funding from other areas of the budget, the small increase was all Gov. David Paterson said he could do in the face of looming deficits.

A Web site will be set up so New Yorkers can determine if they qualify for various heating assistance programs.

In June, the Assembly proposed increased funding to pay for more heating bill subsidies and weatherization of apartments and houses. The Republican-led Senate, however, sought a tax deduction to offset heating costs.

In addition to the weatherization funds, Paterson said the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance plans to increase the maximum Home Energy Assistance Program grant to $800 per season from the previous $540 cap. But without additional federal money, some families may still get smaller pay outs to help pay heating bills.

“The federal government must not ignore the reality of record high heating prices when considering funding levels for this essential program,” he said.

New York is also expanding eligibility for assistance, so a family of four with up to $45,312 in annual income can receive benefits.

“We are pleased that the governor has presented an administrative plan that provides important relief,” said Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, a Kingston Democrat and the chair of the Assembly energy committee. “Still, the Assembly believes we must increase home heating assistance grants.”

Most of the new funds will go to improve energy efficiency. The state is spending $696 million on improving efficiency for residential and commercial energy customers.

The maximum HEAP emergency benefit will also increase from $700 to $800. The changes to HEAP don't reflect an increase in the program's $347 million in funding this year, but a different way of distributing the money. The most needy will be able to get more money, but as funds begin to dwindle, families will get smaller payouts - unless the federal government or lawmakers intervene with more funding.

On the Net:

www.ny.gov/governor