Home Heating Fund Expanded ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - Rochester area residents who are in need will have more help available to them for their heating and electric bills.

The Red Cross/RG&E Heating Fund is being turned into a year-round program, thanks to a $500,000 contribution from the utility.

Red Cross CEO John Buttrell says it's important that the fund is expanded into a year-round program. He says both heating and electric costs are going up. And Buttrell says it's important to assist people no matter when their crises arise.

The Home Heating Fund will re-open to the Rochester community on October 27. RG&E had previously contributed $200,000 to the heating fund.

There are a number of ways people can qualify for energy assistance, which include: a one-time bill payment emergency; a lack of fuel, or a shut-off notice.

RG&E is also starting a matching fund program by which it will match donations from customers, with the money being used to help people with heating and electricity emergencies. © Copyright 2009, WXXI