Get back to this page: https://access.nyc.gov/programs/home-energy-assistance-program-heap/
Money for heat and utility expenses
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | NYC Human Resources Administration
1. How it Works
HEAP helps eligible households meet the cost of heating their homes. The benefit can pay for fuel, your utility source, heating equipment replacement and repairs. The benefit is paid either directly to the heating vendor or utility company. You can apply for HEAP every year when the program is open.
- The HEAP benefit opens November 2, 2020. The deadline to submit applications is March 15, 2021.
- The Emergency HEAP benefit opens January 4, 2021 and closes March 15, 2021 or until funds run out.
- You may still be able to receive benefits even if your heat is included in your rent
- Emergency benefits are available if your heat has been turned off, if you’re out of fuel, if your heat is in danger of being turned off, or you have less than a quarter tank of fuel.
- The application requires proof of address and income, your heating or utility bills (if you pay utilities), and a valid social security number for all household members, at a minimum.
Next section:
More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | OTDA website for more information.
Call 311
Ask for assistance with the Home Energy Assistance Program.
Call HEAP
Call the HEAP Infoline at 800-692-0557 if you have questions about HEAP or 212-331-3126 for operator assistance.
Call the Heat Line at 212-331-3150 if you have trouble paying your heat bill or are home-bound and need assistance with HEAP.
Visit a HEAP Office
Visit a HEAP office to get help in person.
2. Determine your eligibility
Your household may be eligible for Regular HEAP benefits if you can answer yes to the following questions:
- Are you and the people you live with US citizens or have satisfactory immigrations status?
- Do you live with a child under six years old, an adult over 60 years old, or anyone with a permanent disability living with you?
- 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 following gross monthly income guidelines for your household size posted below.
Your household may be eligible for Emergency HEAP benefits if you can answer yes to the following questions:
- Is your heat shut off or about to be shut off, or do you have less than a quarter tank of fuel or 10-day supply of another heat source?
- Is your income at or under the income guidelines below or do you receive SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance, or Code A Supplemental Security Income?
- Is your heating or electric bill in your name?
- Are you household’s available resources:
- less than $3,000 if it includes someone 60 or older?
- less than $2,000 if it doesn’t include someone 60 or older?
If you have an emergency, contact your HEAP Local District Contact for assistance.
Family Size |
Income in a month |
1 |
$2,610 |
2 |
$3,413 |
3 |
$4,216 |
4 |
$5,019 |
5 |
$5,822 |
6 |
$6,625 |
7 |
$6,775 |
8 |
$6,926 |
9 |
$7,077 |
10 |
$7,227 |
11 |
$7,378 |
12 |
$7,755 |
Each additional |
Add $560 |
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
For each person applying, any one document:
- Driver’s License
- Photo ID
- US Passport or Naturalization Certificate
- Adoption Papers, Hospital or Doctor’s Records
- School Records
Or for each person applying, any two documents:
- Birth Certificate or Baptismal certificate
- Validated Social Security Card
- Statement from another person
Proof of where you live
For the household, any one document:
- Copy of most recent deed
- Current letter, lease, or rent receipt with home address from landlord
- Documentation from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
- Documentation from the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA)
- Driver license issued within past six months
- Homeowners insurance policy
- ID card with address
- Lease signed by both landlord and tenant
- Property tax records or mortgage statements
- Statement from an employer or social services agency
- Statement from non-relative landlord
- Utility bill (gas, electric, or water)
Or for the household, any two documents:
- Statement from another person
- Current mail
- School records
Proof of your income
For each income source of each income earner, any one document:
Wages & Salary
- Letter from employer on company letterhead signed and dated
- Paycheck stubs (from the last four weeks in a row that you worked)
- Business records
Self employment
- Business records of earnings and expenses for the most recent three consecutive months
- Filed federal tax return for the current year
Cash Assistance
- Cash Assistance Budget Letter
Income from rent or room/board
- A cashed/deposited check
- Ledger / Rent Receipt Book
- Letter from roomer boarder tenant
Military Pay
- Current award letter
- Current check stub
Child Support/Alimony
- Alimony check stub
- Child support check stub
- Letter from court
- Letter from person providing support
Unemployment Income
- Award letter/ certificate
- Correspondence from NYS Dept. of Labor
- Benefit Statement (Available on Internet)
Social Security benefits (SSI Dependent Disability Survivor’s Retirement)
- Current award letter/ certificate
- Current benefit check
Worker’s Compensation
- Current award letter
- Current check stub
Veteran’s benefits
- Current award letter
- Current benefit check stub
Pensions/ Annuities/ IRA
- Statement from pension/annuity
Interest/dividends/royalties
- 1099-DIV
- 1099-INT
- Statement from bank credit union or financial institution
Support from other Family Members
- Copies of cancelled checks from family member
- Signed statement or letter from family member
Proof of your expenses
For each expense, any one document:
Dependent Care Costs
- Court order
Shelter Expenses
- Current rent receipt
- Current lease
- Mortgage records
- Property tax records
- Sewer and water bills
- Fuel bills
- Utility bills
Proof of citizenship/immigration status
For each person applying, any one document upon request from HRA:
- US birth certificate
- US passport
- US baptismal certificate
- Official US hospital or doctor records
- Green Card (INS form I-551) (copy of the front and back)
- Naturalization certificate
- Employment Authorization Card (I-688B or I-766)
- INS I-210 letter
- Memorandum of Creation of Record of Lawful Permanent Residence: INS form I-181
- INS form I-220B
- Arrival-Departure Record Card: INS form I-94
- Other INS documents, or correspondence to or from the INS, that shows that you are living in the US with the knowledge and permission of the INS
Proof of your resources
For each resource of each resource holder, any one document:
- Bank books
- Bank statement
- Burial agreement or burial insurance
- Copies of stocks, bonds, or securities
- Credit union records
- Deed or appraisal for real estate
- Bank or dividend statements
- Statements from institution where funds are deposited or managed
Proof of your disability status
For each person with a disability, any one document:
- Proof of Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Next section:
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply by mail
Applications should be mailed to:
New York City Home Energy Assistance Program
P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station
New York, NY, 10008
Apply by phone
To apply for Emergency HEAP you must first apply and be approved for regular HEAP. You can apply for Emergency HEAP over the phone by calling 212-331-3126.
Apply in person
- Find a HEAP office near you.
- Gather your personal documents and bring them with you to the office.
- You can print and fill out the application before you go in or complete it at the office.
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.
By providing your email address or phone number, you agree to be contacted by the City of New York regarding your ACCESS NYC public benefit screening results. Your activity on ACCESS NYC is anonymous, but providing your phone number may identify you and reveal that you used the website. To find out more about how the City might use the data you share with ACCESS NYC, visit the Terms of Use for NYC.gov, and Privacy Policy for NYC.gov.
More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | OTDA website for more information.
Call 311
Ask for assistance with the Home Energy Assistance Program.
Call HEAP
Call the HEAP Infoline at 800-692-0557 if you have questions about HEAP or 212-331-3126 for operator assistance.
Call the Heat Line at 212-331-3150 if you have trouble paying your heat bill or are home-bound and need assistance with HEAP.
Visit a HEAP Office
Visit a HEAP office to get help in person.