Helping New Yorkers Keep the Heat On – Governor.NY.gov

This October, Governor Hochul announced $373 million for home heating aid to assist New Yorkers during cold weather months.

Eligible homeowners and renters may apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which can provide up to $751 depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,249 or an annual gross income of $62,983 and still qualify for benefits — a modest increase from the previous year’s threshold.

You can apply for a Regular HEAP Benefit:

Online:
myBenefits.ny.gov

When the HEAP Regular benefit is open you may apply online if your household resides outside of New York City. This application is for a Regular HEAP benefit only.

In person:
When the HEAP Regular benefit is open you may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

In writing:
When the HEAP Regular benefit is open, print and mail the completed HEAP application:

• Outside of New York City mail it to your HEAP Local District Contact, or
• New York City residents can mail it to: NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008

In addition to the $373 million in funding, Governor Hochul announced that New York State is providing $150 million in federal funding to help low-income households pay heating utility arrears. This Regular Arrears Supplement benefit is available to households who are eligible for HEAP and behind on their heating utility bills, but that do not qualify for the utility assistance offered by New York’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The one-time payments can cover all accumulated heating utility arrears up to $10,000 per household.

You may apply for the Regular Arrears Supplement benefit with your HEAP Local District Contact.

Applications for assistance are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone, with funding provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Here is a list of local offices by county. Residents outside of New York City may also apply online for regular heating assistance benefits. New York City residents may download an application and obtain program information here. 

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to receive a regular HEAP benefit, which vary by income and household size, and be in active collections or otherwise facing disconnection or termination of service. Applicants must also be the utility customer of record or pay a utility directly. 

Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefit

Help is also now available to assist eligible homeowners if their primary heating equipment is unsafe or not operating and their furnace or boiler must be repaired or replaced. Benefit amounts through the HEAP Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program are based on the actual cost incurred to repair or replace the essential heating equipment -up to $3,000 for a repair and $6,500 for a replacement. 

Emergency HEAP Benefits

Starting Jan. 3, HEAP will also provide a one-time emergency benefit to eligible households that are facing a heating 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 income is at or below the current income guidelines as posted in the table below or you receive Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or Code A Supplemental Security Income.
• The heating and/or electric bill is in your name and
• Your household’s available resources are:
  • less than $2,000 if no member of your household is age 60 or older; or
  • less than $3,000 if any member of your household is age 60 or older.

You can apply for a HEAP Emergency benefit:

By Phone:
When the HEAP Emergency benefit is open you may call your HEAP Local District Contact for assistance.

In person:
When the HEAP Emergency benefit is open you may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

You can apply for a Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit:

In person:
You may call your HEAP Local District Contact to apply for Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefits. The in-person interview and application requirement is temporarily suspended. The district will provide more information on how to submit the application and required documentation.

Original Source: https://www.ny.gov/helping-new-yorkers-keep-heat