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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

1. How it Works

HEAP helps low-income households meet the cost of heating their homes. The benefit can pay for fuel, your utility source, and heating equipment replacement and repairs. The benefit is paid directly to the heating vendor or utility company. You may be able to get HEAP even if your heat is included in your rent.

  • Regular Benefit:
    • Applications for the 2024-2025 HEAP Regular Benefit opened on November 1, 2024.
    • The Regular benefit is a one-time benefit that can 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.
    • Learn more about the Regular HEAP benefit.
  • Emergency Benefits:
    • Applications for the 2024-2025 First and Second Emergency Benefits will open on January 2, 2025.
    • The Emergency 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.
    • Learn more about the Emergency HEAP benefit.
  • Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) Benefit:
  • Clean and Tune Benefit:
    • Applications for the 2024-2025 Clean and Tune Benefit opened on October 1, 2024.
    • The Clean and Tune Benefit can help homeowners 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, to allow safe, proper, and efficient operation of the heating equipment.
    • Learn more about the Clean and Tune benefit.
  • Cooling Assistance Component Benefit:
    • Applications for the 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance Component Benefit are scheduled to open on April 15, 2025.
    • The Cooling Assistance Component Benefit can help eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan to help  home stay cool.
    • Learn more about the Cooling Assistance Component benefit.

2. Determine your eligibility

Eligibility for the Regular HEAP benefit is based on:

  • the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled
  • the primary heating source
  • income and household size

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
  • 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)
  • Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size based on this table:
Household Size Maximum Monthly Gross Income for 2024-2025
1 $3,322
2 $4,345
3 $5,367
4 $6,390
5 $7,412
6 $8,434
7 $8,626
8 $8,818
9 $9,010
10 $9,201
11 $9,393
12 $9,585
13 $9,952
For each additional person, add: Add $672

Your household may be eligible for Emergency HEAP benefits if you can answer yes to these questions:

  1. Do any of these apply to you?
    • The electricity that runs your heating system or thermostat is shut off or scheduled to be shut off.
    • Your heat has been turned off or is in danger of being turned off.
    • You are out of fuel or you have less than a quarter tank of fuel.
  2. Is your heating or electric bill in your name?
  3. Are your household’s available resources:
    • less than $3,750 if it includes someone 60 or older, or under age 6?
    • less than $2,500 if it doesn’t include someone 60 or older, or under age 6?
  4. Do you meet one of these 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 in the table above.

3. What you need to include

This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

Proof of residence (where you live)

  • Current rent receipt with name and address of tenant and landlord or lease with name and address
  • Statement from landlord
  • Water, sewage, or tax bill
  • Homeowner’s/Renter’s Insurance Policy
  • Utility bill
  • Mortgage payment books/receipts with address

Proof of vendor relationship

Proof of your income

Proof of identity

Proof of social security

Proof of vulnerability

Next section:

4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Apply online

Applications for the 2024-2025 HEAP Regular Benefit are scheduled to open on November 1, 2024.

  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.

Apply online

Apply by mail

Applications for the 2024-2025 HEAP Regular Benefit are scheduled to open on November 1, 2024

Download and complete the application. To submit your application, you can either:

  • Mail your application to:
    New York City Home Energy Assistance Program
    P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station
    New York, NY, 10008
  • Fax your application to 917-639-2900.

Download the application

Apply by phone

Applications for the 2024-2025 HEAP First and Second Emergency Benefits are scheduled to open on January 2, 2025. You can’t apply for a Regular HEAP benefit by phone.

Call 718-557-1399 to apply for Emergency benefits or to check the status of your application. You must first apply and be approved for the HEAP Regular Benefit.

Apply in person

You can apply in person for all HEAP benefits below by visiting a HEAP office.

  • Apply for Regular Benefit starting November 1, 2024.
  • Apply for First and Second Emergency Benefits starting January 2, 2025. You must first apply and be approved for Regular Benefit.
  • Apply for Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Benefit starting October 1, 2024.
  • Apply for Clean and Tune Benefit starting October 1, 2024.
  • Apply for Cooling Assistance Benefit starting April 15, 2025.

Find an 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.

More ways to get help with this program

Visit the website

Visit the OTDA website for HEAP to learn more about this program.

Call 311

Ask for assistance with the Home Energy Assistance Program.

Call HEAP

Call 718-557-1399 for help with HEAP.

Last Updated November 4, 2024