With winter approaching and heating bills expected to put additional pressure on household budgets, New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) began accepting applications for the 2026–2027 season on November 2.
The program provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners and renters to help cover heating expenses. Families who have difficulty paying for natural gas, electricity, heating oil, or other heating sources may qualify for benefits.
Renters whose heating costs are included in their monthly rent may also be eligible, although their benefits are calculated differently.
Eligibility depends on household income, family size, heating arrangements, and other factors. For the current season, the monthly gross income limit is $6,852 for a family of four and $9,045 for a family of six.
For qualifying households that pay their heating bills directly, basic benefits include $400 for natural gas or electricity and $990 for oil, kerosene, or propane.
Additional assistance may be available to households with children under six, adults age 60 or older, or individuals with permanent disabilities. Actual benefit amounts depend on the household’s circumstances.
Renters whose heat is included in their rent may qualify for smaller payments, including benefits of $45 or $50 under certain categories. Separate provisions apply to some residents of subsidized housing.
Households already receiving SNAP or Cash Assistance may have their HEAP benefits issued automatically. Other residents must submit an application.
New York City residents can apply through ACCESS HRA or seek assistance from the Human Resources Administration. Homebound individuals may also request help completing an application.
In most cases, only one regular HEAP benefit is available per household during the program year. Applications are scheduled to remain open through April 16, 2027, but funding is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program also offers assistance to homeowners whose heating systems need repairs or replacement. The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program, which opened October 1, may cover up to $4,000 in approved repair expenses or $8,000 toward replacement of a furnace or boiler. A separate Clean and Tune benefit provides assistance with eligible heating-system maintenance.
Emergency HEAP benefits, which are handled separately from regular assistance, have not yet opened for the season. Residents facing an immediate loss of heat or a utility shutoff should contact HRA to find out what emergency assistance is currently available.
Applications and additional information are available at www.access.nyc.gov/programs/home-energy-assistance-program-heap.
Residents can also call HRA at 718-557-1399 or dial 311. Commonpoint’s Work Supports program offers application assistance at 718-268-5057.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
