Overview

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes.

If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.

Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact.

HEAP may be able to help you if you heat your home with:

• Electricity
• Natural Gas
• Oil
• Coal
• Propane
• Wood/Wood Pellets
• Kerosene
• Corn

Regular HEAP Benefit

The 2025-2026 Regular HEAP benefit is scheduled to open November 17, 2025.

Note: This date is contingent on federal action to fund the program and timely notification from the United States Department of Health and Human Services regarding New York State's allocation. OTDA will issue updated guidance as additional information becomes available.

If you are eligible, you may receive one Regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home.

Eligibility and benefits are based on:

• income,
• household size,
• the primary heating source, and
• the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled.

Regular HEAP benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household's primary source of heat. The participating vendor list can be obtained by accessing the HEAP Participating Vendor List. Select your county of residence, the fuel type you use to heat your home, and pressing “Go”.

Your household may be eligible for a Regular HEAP benefit if:

• A member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen
• Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the table below or
• You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
• You receive federally funded Temporary Assistance (TA), also known as Public Assistance (PA) or
• You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)

Regular HEAP Benefit Add-Ons for Households Paying Directly for Heat

The amount of the base Regular HEAP benefit will be increased by $61 if the household's gross income is in the Tier 1 income range.

The amount of the base Regular HEAP benefit will be increased by $35 if the household contains a vulnerable individual (household member who is age 60 or older, under age 6 or permanently disabled).

View HEAP Monthly Income Limits.

Emergency HEAP Benefit

The 2025-2026 Emergency HEAP benefit is scheduled to open January 2, 2026.

Note: This date is contingent on federal action to fund the program and timely notification from the United States Department of Health and Human Services regarding New York State’s allocation. OTDA will issue updated guidance as additional information becomes available.

If you are eligible, the Emergency HEAP Benefit can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat related emergency.

Emergency HEAP benefits and eligibility are based on:

• income,
• available resources, and
• the type of emergency

You may be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if:

• Your electricity is necessary for your heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off or
• Your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off or
• You are out of fuel, or you have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane or have less than a ten (10) day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or other deliverable heat source.

and

• Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the table below or
• You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
• You receive federally funded Temporary Assistance (TA), also known as Public Assistance (PA) or
• You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Alone and
• The heating and/or electric bill is in your name and
• Your household's available resources are:
  • less than $2,500; or
  • less than $3,750 if any member of your household is age 60 or older, or under age 6.

View HEAP Monthly Income Limits.

Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Benefit

The 2024-2025 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) benefit closed May 9, 2025. Please check back for updates regarding HERR.

You may be eligible for emergency assistance through Temporary Assistance, also known as Public Assistance (PA). For more information on emergency assistance through PA visit the Temporary Assistance webpage or by contacting your Local Departments of Social Services (DSS).

You can apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov or by completing and mailing or bringing the application (LDSS-2921) in person to your local DSS.

For more information about PA, contact your local DSS or call the toll-free OTDA Hotline: 1-800-342-3009.

If you have an emergency, you must contact your HEAP Local District Contact for assistance. Assistance cannot be provided through this website.

Clean and Tune Benefit

For the 2025-2026 program year, New York State HEAP will not operate the HEAP Heating Equipment Clean and Tune benefit component.

Please check back for updates.

HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit

The 2025-2026 HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit is scheduled to open April 15, 2026.

Note: This date is contingent on federal action to fund the program and timely notification from the United States Department of Health and Human Services regarding New York State's allocation. OTDA will issue updated guidance as additional information becomes available.

If you are eligible, you may receive one HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.

In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.

Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation for a window, portable air conditioner, or fan and not to exceed $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit, will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

You may be eligible for a HEAP Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if:

• Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the following table, or
• You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or
• You receive federally funded Temporary Assistance (TA), also known as Public Assistance (PA) or
• You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or
• You received a Regular HEAP benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a Regular HEAP benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government subsidized housing with heat included in your rent, and
• Your household contains at least one individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat, or
• Your household contains a vulnerable member based on their age (60 years or older, or under age 6) which meet all other component eligibility criteria, and
• A member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen, and
• You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, and
• You did not receive a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past five years.

Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.

Getting the air conditioner installed

The participating Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) vendor list can be obtained by accessing the HEAP Participating Vendor List. Select your county of residence, “Cooling” as the fuel type, and pressing “Go”. It will be your responsibility to maintain the air conditioner. This includes the responsibility to remove, cover, store, and/or reinstall the unit or the installation sleeve after vendor installation.

The following websites may offer some additional resources to meet your cooling needs:

Extreme Heat Advice — Department of Health website that includes information on extreme heat, such as how to determine the heat risk by zip code and a link to locate local cooling centers.

Extreme Heat and Your Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website that includes tips and suggestions for managing and preventing heat-related illnesses.

You can apply for a HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit when it is open:

By Phone:
You may call your HEAP Local District Contact. The district will provide more information on eligibility, the application process, and required documentation.

In person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact

Online:
New York City Residents may apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit online by visiting access.nyc.gov.

2025-2026 HEAP Monthly Income Limits

Your total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:

Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

2025-2026 HEAP Monthly Income Limits

Your total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:

Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.