New Yorkers can now begin applying for heating assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program to help defray the high cost of heating their homes during the winter, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this week. The program, known as HEAP, can provide up to $996 to eligible households, depending on how they heat their home.
The program, overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), is 100% federally funded. The opening of the HEAP application period was pushed back a month by the federal government shutdown at a time when temperatures began to drop.
Many households automatically receive a HEAP payment due to their enrollment in other programs. OTDA prepared those automatic payments ahead of time and these households can now be assured that a HEAP payment will soon be made to their heat supplier without needing to apply or take any additional action, Hochul said.
Eligible households can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for an emergency HEAP benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility services shut off. Applications for the additional emergency benefits will be accepted beginning Jan. 2.
HEAP benefit amounts vary — with a maximum of $996 — based on income, household size, heating source and if the household contains a vulnerable member. A family of four can have a maximum gross monthly income of $6,680, or an annual gross income of $80,165, and still qualify for assistance.
More than 1.5 million households received a Regular HEAP benefit last year. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications for assistance are accepted at local departments of social services, including the social services office in Riverhead at 605 Old Country Road (open M-F, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.) and can also be submitted online, through the mail or in person. More information.
Additionally, older adults needing assistance with HEAP applications can contact their local office for the aging — in Suffolk, the Office for the Aging HEAP Hotline at 631-853-8326 — or contact the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871.
Hochul also urged more New Yorkers to enroll in New York State’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which provides up to $500 in annual discounts on energy bills. New York’s EAP already serves approximately 1 million households statewide, but state officials estimate that approximately 1.5 million more households are eligible to receive a discount. New Yorkers can visit ny.gov/EAP to learn about eligibility and enrollment.
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