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)
More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the HEAP website for more information.
Call 311
Ask for assistance with the Home Energey Assistance Program.
Call HEAP
Call the infoline at 800-692-0557 if you have questions about HEAP or 212-835-7216 for operator assistance.
Visit a HEAP Office
Visit a HEAP office to get help in person.
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 $27,816 $2,318 $535 2 $36,372 $3,031 $699 3 $44,928 $3,744 $864 4 $53,484 $4,457 $1,029 5 $62,040 $5,170 $1,193 6 $70,596 $5,883 $1,358 7 $72,204 $6,017 $1,389 8 $73,800 $6,150 $1,419 9 $75,408 $6,284 $1,450 10 $77,016 $6,418 $1,481 11 $80,796 $6,733 $1,554 For each additional person, add: $6,276 $523 $121
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?
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
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply by mail
Apply for HEAP by mail if:
- the head of house is disabled and gets Retirement Survivor’s, or Disability Insurance, or
- the head of household is aged 60 or older, or
- the household is Code A SSI, or
- the household is receiving Cash Assistance orSNAP
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 212-835-7216.
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.