Overview
The 2024-2025 Regular Heating benefit closed April 7, 2025.
What is the Regular Heating Benefit?
The Regular Heating Benefit helps income-eligible New Yorkers pay the cost of heating their homes.
How does it work?
If you are eligible, you may receive one regular benefit per season. You may also be eligible for an Emergency HEAP Benefit if you are in impending danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.
Are regular benefits available year-round?
No, the application period for a regular benefit normally begins in early to mid-November and continues into the winter until funding for the program runs out.
Does it matter what my home’s heating source is?
HEAP may be able to help you if you heat your home with:
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- Oil
- Coal
- Propane
- Wood/Wood Pellets
- Kerosene
- Corn
How much could I receive in regular benefits?
2024-2025 Regular HEAP Benefit Amounts
| Base Benefit Amount | Living Situation |
|---|---|
| $21 | Eligible households that live in government subsidized housing or a group home setting with heat included in their rent. |
| $45 or $50 | Eligible households who have heating costs included as part of their rent. |
| $900+ applicable add-ons | Eligible households whose primary heat is oil, kerosene, or propane and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs. |
| $635+ applicable add-ons | Eligible households whose primary heat is wood, wood pellets, coal, corn or other deliverable fuel and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs. |
| $400+ applicable add-ons | Eligible households whose primary heat is electricity or natural gas and who make direct payments based on their household's actual usage to the vendor. |
Note: The amount of the base Regular benefit may be increased by $61 if the household's gross income is in the Tier 1 income range. The amount of the base Regular benefit may be increased by $35 if the household contains a vulnerable individual (household member who is age 60 or older, under age 6 or permanently disabled).
Eligibility
Who is eligible to receive HEAP Benefits?
You may be eligible if:
- You and the members of your household are U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals or qualified non-citizens; and
- You provide a valid Social Security number for each household member; and
- You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance or Supplemental Security Income; or
- Your monthly household income is at or below the HEAP income guidelines.
- You may be eligible for HEAP, even if you:
- Own your home
- Pay for heat as part of your rent
- Have money in the bank, stocks, bonds or other resources
HEAP Monthly Income Limits
The total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Each additional | Add $672 |
Apply
When the HEAP heating assistance season is open, you can apply for a Regular Heating benefit in the following ways:
Online:
- Inside New York City – access.nyc.gov
- Outside New York City – myBenefits.ny.gov
In person: Both New York City residents and non-New York City residents can apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.
In writing / by mail:
- If you live outside New York City, print and mail the completed HEAP application to your HEAP Local District Contact.
- If you live inside New York City, print and mail the complete application to: HRA/HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
Ready to apply? Have with you:
- Proof of residency with one of the following:
- Rent receipt with address
- Copy of lease with address
- Water, sewer or tax bill
- Homeowner’s insurance policy
- Mortgage payment receipt
- Deed
- Utility bill
- A current fuel or utility bill, or a statement from your landlord that your heat and/or utilities are included in your rent.
- Recent pay stubs to provide proof of total current monthly income for all household members.
- For each person in your household you will need one of the following:
- Photo ID
- Driver’s license
- Birth certificate or baptismal certificate
- School records
- Passport
- Paperwork documenting a disability for anyone in your household
What happens next?
If you qualify for HEAP you will be notified no later than 30 business days from the date the local district received your HEAP application.
Emergency Benefit
The 2024-2025 first and second emergency benefit closed April 7, 2025.
What is the Emergency Heating Benefit?
The Emergency Heating Benefit can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat related emergency.
Who is eligible to receive emergency benefits?
You may be eligible if:
- Your electricity is necessary for your heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off or
- Your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off or
- You are out of fuel, or you have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane or have less than a ten (10) day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or other deliverable heat source.
and
- Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size or
- 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 and
- The heating and/or electric bill is in your name and
- Your household's available resources are:
- less than $2,500; or
- less than $3,750 if any member of your household is age 60 or older, or under age 6.
How much could I receive in emergency benefits?
2024-2025 Emergency Heat and Heat-related HEAP Benefit Amounts
| Type of Emergency | Amount |
|---|---|
| Heat Related Domestic (electric service required to operate heating equipment) | $185 |
| Natural Gas Heat Only | $400 |
| Natural Gas Combined with Heat Related Domestic | $585 |
| Electric Heat Combined with Heat Related Domestic | $585 |
| Non-utility heating fuel (oil, kerosene, and propane) | $900 |
| Non-utility heating fuel (wood, pellets, coal, corn, etc.) | $635 |
How do I apply for an Emergency Heating Benefit?
By phone:
- In New York City - you may call 718-557-1399 for assistance.
- Outside New York City - you may call your HEAP Local District Contact for assistance.
In person:
- You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact
Contact
Contact your HEAP Local District Contact for questions regarding the Regular Heating Benefit or the Emergency Heating Benefit.
Or call the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) Hotline Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM.