U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is scheduled to make a stop in Dunkirk this afternoon.

Gillibrand is slated to be at Dunkirk’s City Hall before 1:30 p.m. to call for robust Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding in the next coronavirus relief package in order to provide critical assistance for low-income households and seniors.

Within the last year, the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has put an unprecedented financial burden on New Yorkers, her office said. Millions of New Yorkers are finding it more difficult to afford the cost of keeping the heat turned on in their homes during the cold winter months. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, one in five homes in the country is at least 60 days behind on the electric and gas utilities.

While the CARES Act dedicated $900 million in emergency LIHEAP funding last year, state energy officials estimate significant emergency supplemental funding is needed to help financially strained households across the country pay their energy bills and stay safe throughout the winter.

She is expected to be joined by County Executive PJ Wendel and city Mayor Wilfred Rosas.