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NY opens HEAP applications to help pay for heating costs
By
Louis C. Hochman
Published Nov 2, 2026 at 1:34 p.m. ET
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By
Louis C. Hochman
Published Nov 2, 2026 at 1:34 p.m. ET
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The state has opened applications for the regular Home Energy Assistance Program, which can help provide up to $1,086 to low- and middle-income households for help with heating costs.
The benefits can pay for fuel, or for heating and cooling equipment. Specific benefit amounts can vary based on factors including income, household size, heating source and whether a family includes a vulnerable member. A family of five could make up to $7,948 per month and qualify for assistance.
The state increased the benefit amount this year in response to rising costs of heating oil and kerosene, state officials said in announcing the program. The benefit for heat with oil, kerosene, or propane has been increased by $90 to $990. The amount for heat with wood, pellets, and coal has increased by $65 to $700.
Applications opened Monday for people not automatically enrolled in the program because of their enrollment in other social benefit programs.
Applications can be submitted online or through the mail, or at at departments of social service. New York City residents can apply through the Access HRA portal.
State officials urge those seeking benefits to apply as soon as possible, as they’re awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are only awarded until funding runs out. Payments are made directly to vendors for the expenses.
The state will also open applications for emergency HEAP benefits — for people in danger or running of out of fuel or having services shut off — on Jan. 4.
In October, the state opened applications for the Heating Equipment Clean and Tune benefit, to help both with the cleaning of primary heating equipment as well as chimney cleaning, minor repairs and installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats. Benefits for that program can be up to $500.
Older adults can contact Offices for the Aging or the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871 for help applying and navigating benefits.
Tagged
affordability
energy
new york state
Louis C. Hochman
After about two decades in (mostly) New Jersey-focused commercial print, digital and digital-but-radio-adjacent news, Lou stumbled into member-supported news in early 2021, as the editor and CEO of Montclair Local. There, he (hopes he) expanded enterprise, brought more sophistication to digital storytelling and moved the nonprofit newsroom closer to long-term financial sustainability. He helped lead the Local to its fourth consecutive General Excellence award from the New Jersey Press Association — the NJPA's highest honor with judges noting the paper's work to strip away layers of government opacity, to hold power to account, to make news accessible for more members of the community, to share the stories and concerns of more facets of the community and to tell compelling stories across multiple media. He's excited to continue the same ethic — news as a public service — at NYPR as the New Jersey and suburbs editor, drawing on the extraordinary talents of reporters including Karen Yi and Nancy Solomon. Lou lives in Philly (that commute!) with his partner and their two cats, about whom and about which he speaks incessantly.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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