HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
Last updated August 2026
HEAP is New York's heating help, and it is really four programs behind one door. The Regular benefit pays once a season toward your heat. The base: $900 for oil, kerosene, or propane. $635 for wood or coal. $400 for gas or electric heat. Small add-ons attach for lower incomes and vulnerable members. It usually goes straight to your fuel vendor or utility.
The income limits are monthly: $3,473 for one person, $6,680 for a family of four. On SNAP? You qualify automatically. So do federally funded Temporary Assistance and most SSI cases; your district confirms. The season usually opens in early November. Last season it opened December 1 because federal funds ran late. So check the OTDA page for this year's date, and apply the week it opens.
Emergency HEAP is the shut-off lane, opening in early January. It pays $185 to $900 by heat source when power or fuel is shut off or nearly out. Used your emergency benefit and hit a second crisis? A second emergency benefit exists. Ask your county district.
Two lesser-known pieces. HERR fixes or replaces dead furnaces and boilers: up to $4,000 to repair, $8,000 to replace. This season it is only for homeowners 60 and older, and the district must approve work BEFORE it starts. And Cooling Assistance, mid-April to early June, buys and installs one AC or fan, up to $800 ($1,000 for a wall-sleeve unit), for homes with a heat-worsened medical condition or a member 60+ or under 6.
Apply for the Regular benefit at myBenefits.ny.gov, through ACCESS HRA in NYC, or with paper form LDSS-3421 to your county DSS. Emergency, furnace, and cooling requests all go through your county's HEAP contact. Decisions come within 30 business days. Emergencies get same-day answers when you reach the district promptly.
Phone 1-800-342-3009
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Income-based, or automatic if the household gets SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or SSI; renters and homeowners both qualify
- One Regular benefit per season; the season opens and closes on set dates each year, so apply once it opens
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Watch for the season opening, usually early November, on otda.ny.gov/programs/heap. Apply the first week; funds are finite.
- 2
Apply at myBenefits.ny.gov (outside NYC), ACCESS HRA (NYC), your county DSS, or by mailing form LDSS-3421.
- 3
On SNAP? Say so; you are automatically income-eligible. Federally funded Temporary Assistance and most SSI cases count too.
- 4
Shut-off notice or fuel nearly out? Contact your county HEAP district directly for Emergency HEAP, open from early January. Same-day decisions are the standard for emergencies.
- 5
Dead furnace and you own your home at 60+? Ask about HERR, up to $8,000 for replacement, but get district approval BEFORE any work starts.
- 6
In summer, ask about Cooling Assistance (mid-April to early June): one AC or fan up to $800 for medically heat-sensitive or vulnerable households.
- 7
Bring proof of residency, income for everyone, photo ID, and Social Security numbers. Emergency benefits need the bill in your name.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much does NY HEAP pay?
The Regular benefit's base is $900 for oil, kerosene, or propane heat, $635 for wood or coal, $400 for gas or electric, once per season, usually paid straight to your supplier. Add-ons of $61 and $35 attach for the lowest incomes and vulnerable members.
What is the income limit for HEAP?
Monthly gross: $3,473 for one person, $4,542 for two, $6,680 for a family of four, plus $687 per extra member. SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or SSI enrollment qualifies you automatically.
When does HEAP open?
Usually early November, but it moves with federal funding; last season opened December 1. The emergency benefit opens in early January. Check otda.ny.gov/programs/heap for this season's dates and apply immediately.
My furnace died. Can HEAP fix it?
Possibly: HERR pays up to $4,000 for repairs or $8,000 for replacement, paid to the vendor. This season it is limited to homeowners age 60+ living in the home, and the county must approve the job before work starts.
Does HEAP help with air conditioning?
Yes, in early summer: one AC or fan up to $800 installed, for households with a heat-worsened medical condition or a member 60+ or under 6, and no working AC under 5 years old. It runs mid-April to early June and money goes fast.
My heat is about to be shut off. What do I do?
Contact your county's HEAP Local District Contact today and ask for Emergency HEAP: $185 to $900 by heat type, with same-day written decisions when you reach the district promptly. A second emergency benefit exists for a second crisis.
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