New York residents can now apply for assistance with their winter heating bills as Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The federally funded program offers financial aid to low- and middle-income households to help cover the costs of electricity, gas, oil, propane, wood, coal, and other home energy expenses.
Eligible New Yorkers may receive checks ranging from $35 up to $1,086. Payments for households that heat with oil, kerosene, or propane have been increased by $90, bringing the maximum to $990. Those who heat with wood, pellets, or coal may receive up to $700, an increase of $65. The program also provides assistance for necessary repairs or replacements of heating and cooling equipment.
"No New Yorker should have to choose between heating their homes this winter and keeping food on the table," Governor Hochul stated in a press release. "We are working to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to safe and reliable heating throughout the colder months."
The amount of assistance a household receives depends on several factors, including income, household size, primary heating source, and whether the household includes a vulnerable member. For example, a family of four could have a gross monthly income of up to $6,852 (or an annual gross income of $82,230) and still qualify for assistance.
Households that do not automatically receive HEAP benefits can apply online via the HEAP website. The program also offers an Emergency HEAP benefit for residents facing the risk of running out of heating fuel or having their utility services disconnected. Applications for these emergency benefits will open on January 4, 2027.
To qualify for a regular HEAP benefit, households must meet certain criteria, including having a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, meeting income guidelines, or receiving specific benefits such as SNAP, Public Assistance, or SSI. Payments are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is depleted, and payments are made directly to vendors. The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program, which assists with furnace and boiler repairs or replacements, opened on October 1, 2026, with benefit amounts up to $4,000 for repairs and $8,000 for replacements.