1. How it Works
HEAP helps eligible households meet their home energy needs in the winter season. The money can pay for fuel, your utility source, equipment and/or repairs. The City pays the costs either directly to the company (heating benefit and/or utility benefit) or to the household (utility benefit only).
- You can apply for HEAP every year between November and March
- You may still be able to receive benefits even if your utilities are included in your rent
- Emergency benefits are available if your heat has been turned off or is in danger of being turned off
- Requires proof of address, social security number, income, and your utility bills (if you pay utilities)
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2. Determine your eligibility
To be eligible, you should be able to answer yes to these questions:
- Do you have a child under six years old, an adult over 60 years old, or anyone with a permanent disability living with you?
- Are you and the people you live with US citizens or legal immigrants?
- Do you meet one of the following income guidelines?
- You receive SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance, or Code A Supplemental Security Income.
- Your family is at or under the income guidelines.
| Family Size | Income in a year | Income in a month | Income in a week |
| 1 | $28,692 | $2,391 | $552 |
| 2 | $37,524 | $3,127 | $722 |
| 3 | $46,356 | $3,863 | $891 |
| 4 | $55,176 | $4,598 | $1,061 |
| 5 | $64,008 | $5,334 | $1,231 |
| 6 | $74,496 | $6,070 | $1,401 |
| 7 | $74,496 | $6,208 | $1,433 |
| 8 | $76,152 | $4,346 | $1,464 |
| 9 | $77,796 | $6,483 | $1,496 |
| 10 | $79,452 | $6,621 | $1,528 |
| 11 | $83,016 | $6,918 | $1,596 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,450 | $540 | $124 |
If you need emergency HEAP benefits, you should also be able to answer yes to these questions:
- Is your heat shut off or about to be shut off, or is your fuel tank a quarter full or less?
- Is the heating and/or electric bill in your name?
- Are your household’s available resources:
- less than $3,000 if there is a member age 60 or older, or
- or less than $2,000 if there is no member age 60 or older?
Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.
Am I Eligible?Next section:
3. What you need to include
It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.
This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.
Proof of who you are
Proof of where you live
Proof of your income
Proof of your expenses
Proof of citizenship/immigration status
Proof of your resources
Proof of your disability status
Proof of school attendance
Proof of having health insurance
Proof of your non-custodial parent information
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4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply by mail
Apply by phone
Apply in person
Come back to it later.
We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.