Tuesday, January 14, 2025
New York state officials announced that funding is available to help low- and middle-income households and older adults manage heating expenses during the winter months through the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP. The program, which can provide up to $996 to eligible households, is now accepting applications, according to a news release on the state’s website.
“New Yorkers should not have to choose between heating their home or putting food on the table, and we’re offering critical financial assistance to protect vulnerable New York households as the weather gets colder,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
HEAP, a federally funded program, is available to households with vulnerable members, including children under 6, adults aged 60 and older, and those with disabilities. Eligibility is determined by factors such as income, household size, and heating needs. For example, a family of four with a gross monthly income of $6,390, or an annual income of $76,681, may qualify — marking a significant increase from last year’s maximum of a monthly gross income of $5,838, and an annual gross income of $70,059.
Eligible households can receive one HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for up to two Emergency HEAP benefits, if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off. Applications for HEAP benefits are now being accepted, while applications for Emergency HEAP benefits open Jan. 2, 2025.
New Yorkers can apply at NY.gov/Heat, at local social service offices, or through the mail. Older adults needing assistance can contact a local aging office or call (800) 342-9871.
“HEAP provides essential financial assistance that will help hundreds of thousands of low and moderate-income households in New York pay their energy bills this winter,” Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, said. “HEAP is a lifeline for low-income working families and older adults on a fixed income and also provides financial support to ensure those in emergency situations can keep the heat on and keep their homes warm during the cold winter months.”
Last year, over 84,000 Long Islanders, and just under 990,000 New York City residents, benefited from the HEAP program.
HEAP also offers heating equipment repair or replacement benefits, allowing up to $4,000 for repairs and $8,000 for replacements. Homeowners may also apply for a heating equipment clean and tune benefit, covering maintenance services like chimney cleaning and carbon monoxide detector installation.
The energy assistance program for heating complements other state programs designed to help low- and middle-income New Yorkers, such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s EmPower+ program, which provides low energy efficiency services to HEAP-eligible homeowners and renters, such as comprehensive home energy assessments that help determine plans for lower home energy usage.
Laurie Wheelock, the executive director of the Public Utility Law Project of New York, a nonprofit organization that advocates for consumer protection, affordability and universal services for utility and energy related-sources, urged low- to middle-income New Yorkers to learn more about HEAP.
“No family should have to make the financially difficult decision between paying their heating bill or going without other necessities, like food and medicine,” she said in a state release. “HEAP can help by offering immediate financial relief to help you pay your heating bill.”
To learn more about the program, and for links to apply, visit Governor.NY.gov/news.
