Photo: Jon Tyson / Unsplash (archive photo)
New York opened applications for its regular Home Energy Assistance Program on Monday, November 2, offering eligible households up to $1,086 toward winter heating costs as funding remains available.
The benefit depends on household income, size, heating source and whether the household includes a vulnerable member, according to Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement. Assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis, making an early application important for residents who need help paying for heat.
The opening applies to regular HEAP assistance. Applications for additional emergency benefits are scheduled to begin January 4, 2027, not Monday.
Who may qualify
The state said a family of four can have gross monthly income up to $6,852, or annual gross income up to $82,230, and still qualify. Those are the state’s published figures; eligibility depends on the program’s rules and the household’s circumstances.
The program is intended to help eligible low- and middle-income households and older adults. The maximum award is not a flat payment for every applicant. The state considers the household’s heating arrangements and other eligibility factors in determining the benefit.
Eligible households may receive one regular HEAP benefit per season. Residents who do not automatically receive assistance can apply through their local department of social services.
Higher base benefits for delivered fuel
New York increased the base benefit for households heating with oil, kerosene or propane by $90 to $990. For households heating with wood, pellets or coal, the base benefit rose by $65 to $700, the governor’s office said.
These are base amounts for the specified heating sources, separate from the up-to-$1,086 maximum cited by the state. A household’s final benefit varies under the program’s income, household and heating-source rules.
The governor’s office said the higher delivered-fuel benefits were intended to help recipients purchase a minimum delivery of fuel amid higher heating costs.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted online, by mail or in person. The state’s HEAP application guide provides the routes for New York City residents and residents elsewhere in the state, as well as local district contact information.
Applicants should have proof of residency, recent pay information for household members and identification for each household member ready. A current fuel or utility bill, or a landlord’s statement that heat is included in rent, can also be needed under the state guide.
Older adults who need help with an application can contact their local office for the aging or the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871, the governor’s office said.
Emergency aid and equipment help
Eligible households may also qualify for an emergency benefit if they are at risk of running out of heating fuel or having utility service shut off. The state said the emergency application period will open January 4, 2027.
Separate HEAP programs can help eligible homeowners have their primary heating equipment inspected and cleaned, or repair or replace equipment that is not working. Homeowners seeking those benefits should contact their local social services department for details.
Regular assistance is not available year-round and depends on funding. The state urged eligible residents to apply promptly rather than wait until winter bills become an emergency.
JBizNews Desk | Albany, New York
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