Blakeman to halt pandemic-relief program on May 15

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is discontinuing a pandemic-relief program that sends residents a one-time, $375 direct payment due to "extremely low participation," according to a letter sent to legislative leaders Friday. 

"I have made the determination to end the HAP program effective May 15th. All applications submitted by May 15th will be processed. No new applications will be considered after May 15th," Blakeman wrote in the letter. 

The program "appears to be trickling out," Blakeman said.

The county processed 70,325 payments, according to the comptroller's office. About 400,000 households were eligible.

Blakeman, a Republican who took office Jan. 1, had been a vocal in his opposition to the Household Assistance Program, or HAP, during his campaign to unseat former County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat.

After he took office, however, he said he would keep the program, which could have sent $375 to residents until 2026.

The program was approved 18-1 by the Republican-led county legislature and signed into law Oct. 6. It uses $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for direct payments to households with a combined income up to $76,050. The county received $193 million from the American Rescue Plan, which President Joe Biden signed in March 2021.

“We look forward to working with the County Executive on how to utilize the remaining HAP funds to best serve the taxpayers and residents of Nassau County,” Comptroller Elaine Phillips said in a statement Friday. 

Blakeman is able to discontinue the program without approval of the legislature, county officials said, citing an opinion by the county attorney's office. 

Residents can determine eligibility and apply at nassaucountyny.gov/HAP or by calling 516-571-1555.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the income limit for Nassau County households residents seeking to apply for direct pandemic-relief payments. Households with a combined income of $76,050 are eligible to apply for the $375 payments. 

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.