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Energy Assistance

What is HEAP?

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters heat and cool their homes.

HEAP consists of five seasonal components: HEAP Regular Component, Emergency HEAP Benefit, Cooling Assistance Component, Clean and Tune Benefit and Heating Equipment and Repair and Replacement (HERR) Benefit. Only the Clean and Tune and HERR Benefits are currently open through September 30, 2024 or until funds are exhausted.

Clean and Tune Benefit 

The Clean and Tune benefit opened October 2, 2023 through September 30, 2024, or until funds are exhausted

What is clean and tune? Eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper, and efficient operation of the heating equipment. 

How much is the benefit? Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $500. 

How to Apply:

You can apply for HEAP Clean and Tune benefit by telephone, or in person by visiting a HEAP office.

Apply by Telephone:

You can call 718-557-1399 and HEAP will provide you with more information on eligibility, the application process, and required documentation.

Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement (HERR) Benefit

Opened October 2, 2023 through September 30, 2024, or until funds are exhausted

What is HERR? The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) benefit helps eligible homeowners repair or replace their furnace, boiler, and other direct heating equipment needed to keep their home’s main heating source working. HERR is only given to eligible applicants once every ten years. 

How much is the HERR benefit? HERR benefit amounts are based on the actual cost to repair or replace a furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment, up to $4,000 for a repair and $8,000 for a replacement. 

To Apply: 

If you need a copy of the application mailed to you, or need additional help, please call Infoline: 718-557-1399. 

  • Return in person at a HEAP office
  • Fax to: 917-639-2900, or 
  • Mail to:

    • Home Energy Assistance Program/HEAP
      P.O. Box 1401
      Church Street Station
      New York, NY 10008 

HEAP Regular Component

The Regular Component is now closed and is scheduled to reopen in the fall.

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 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.

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 guides for your household size
  • You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
  • You receive Temporary Assistance (TA) or
  • You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)

Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit are now closed.

  1. Apply online on ACCESS HRA.
  2. Scan your documents using the ACCESS HRA mobile app available for free on the iTunes Store(for iPhones) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones).
  3. After you submit your application, you may be contacted to do an eligibility interview. You can do your interview over the telephone without having to come into a benefits access center.
  4. You can check the status of your application by going to ACCESS HRA.

If you need a copy of the application mailed to you, or need additional help, please call Infoline: 718-557-1399. 

  • Return in person at a HEAP office
  • Fax to: 917-639-2900, or 
  • Mail to:

    • Home Energy Assistance Program/HEAP
      P.O. Box 1401
      Church Street Station
      New York, NY 10008 

HEAP Application (LDSS 3421)

HEAP Document Guide

View the Beat the Heat Flyer in English/Español

Emergency HEAP Benefit

The Emergency Benefit is now closed and is scheduled to reopen in 2025.

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 guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
  • You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
  • You receive Temporary Assistance (TA) 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.

How to Apply:

You can apply for HEAP Emergency benefit by telephone, or in person by visiting a HEAP office.

Apply by Telephone:

You can call 718-557-1399 and HEAP will provide you with more information on eligibility, the application process, and required documentation.

Cooling Assistance Component

The Cooling Assistance Component is now closed and is scheduled to reopen in 2025.

If you are eligible, you may receive one 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 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 Temporary Assistance (TA), or
  • You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or
  • You received a Regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a Regular 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 (elderly age 60 years or older, or young children 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.

Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Cooling Benefit are now closed.

  1. Apply online on ACCESS HRA.
  2. Scan your documents using the ACCESS HRA mobile app available for free on the iTunes Store(for iPhones) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones).
  3. After you submit your application, you may be contacted to do an eligibility interview. You can do your interview over the telephone without having to come into a benefits access center.
  4. You can check the status of your application by going to ACCESS HRA.

You can also apply for HEAP Cooling Assistance by telephone or in person by visiting a HEAP office.

You can call 718-557-1399 and HEAP will provide you with more information on eligibility, the application process, and required documentation.

*This year, Cooling Assistance ran from April 15 to July 19, 2024. If you DID receive a HEAP benefit during the current HEAP program year, your eligibility for a cooling benefit will be based on the information used to determine your HEAP benefit. If you DID NOT receive a benefit during the current HEAP program year, BUT you are currently receiving TA or SNAP benefits, your eligibility for a cooling benefit will be based on the information in your TA or SNAP case.