Money for heat and utility expenses
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)
1. How it Works
HEAP helps low-income households meet the cost of heating their homes. The benefit can pay for fuel, your utility source, and heating equipment replacement and repairs. The benefit is paid directly to the heating vendor or utility company. You may be able to get HEAP even if your heat is included in your rent.
Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.
Emergency benefits:
The 2023-2024 Emergency Benefit is available until August 30, 2024, or until funds for this benefit are exhausted, whichever comes first.
The Emergency Benefit can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat related emergency.
Emergency HEAP benefits and eligibility are based on:
income
available resources
the type of emergency
Other benefits are also available:
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) Benefit – helps you repair or replace your furnace, boiler and other direct heating equipment if you’re a homeowner.
Clean and Tune Benefit – helps you get energy efficiency services like heating equipment cleaning.
Cooling Assistance Component is open for application. Cooling Assistance benefits are provided on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants.
2. Determine your eligibility
Regular HEAP eligibility and benefits are based on:
the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled
the primary heating source
income and household size
If your household size is 1, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $3,035.
If your household size is 2, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $3,970.
If your household size is 3, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $4,904.
If your household size is 4, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $5,838.
If your household size is 5, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $6,772.
If your household size is 6, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $7,706.
If your household size is 7, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $7,881.
If your household size is 8, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $8,056.
If your household size is 9, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $8,231.
If your household size is 10, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $8,407.
If your household size is 11, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $8,582.
If your household size is 12, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $8,890.
If your household size is 13, your maximum gross monthly income for 2024 is $9,532.
For each additional person, add $642.
Your household may be eligible for Emergency HEAP benefits if you can answer yes to these questions:
Do any of these apply to you?
The electricity that runs your heating system or thermostat is shut off or scheduled to be shut off.
Your heat has been turned off or is in danger of being turned off.
You are out of fuel or you have less than a quarter tank of fuel.
Is your heating or electric bill in your name?
Are your household’s available resources:
less than $3,750 if it includes someone 60 or older, or under age 6?
less than $2,500 if it doesn’t include someone 60 or older, or under age 6?
Do you meet one of these income guidelines?
You receive SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance, or Code A Supplemental Security Income.
Your family is at or under the following gross monthly income guidelines for your household size in the table above.
3. What you need to include
This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.
Proof of residence (where you live)
Current rent receipt with name and address of tenant and landlord or lease with name and address
Statement from landlord
Water, sewage, or tax bill
Homeowner’s/Renter’s Insurance Policy
Utility bill
Mortgage payment books/receipts with address
Proof of vendor relationship
A current utility or fuel bill
OR if you do not pay for heat:
a current rent receipt with name and address of tenant and landlord, lease with name and address
OR statement from your landlord that indicates heat is included in your rent
Proof of your income
Pay stubs for the most recent four (4) weeks
Business records for the most recent (3) months OR filed federal tax return for the current year, including all applicable schedules if self-employed or receiving rental income
Child support or alimony/spousal support order or check
Interest/Bank/Dividend or Tax Statement
Copy of award letter or official correspondence for the following:
Social Security/Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Veteran’s Benefits
Pensions
Worker’s Compensation/Disability
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Proof of identity
Provide one of the following:
Driver’s License
Photo ID
US Passport or Naturalization Certificate
Adoption Papers, Hospital or Doctor’s Records
School Records
Or provide two of the following:
Birth Certificate or Baptismal certificate
Validated Social Security Card
Statement from another person
Proof of social security
A valid Social Security Number for household members that have one.
Proof of vulnerability
You must provide one of the following for proof of vulnerability for a vulnerable member of your household (children under 6 years of age, adults 60 years of age or older, or anyone with a disability):
Birth certificate
Baptismal certificate with date of birth
SSA Award letter
Passport
Driver’s license
Written statement of eligibility for benefits
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.
Apply online on ACCESS HRA.
Scan your documents using the ACCESS HRA mobile app available for free on the iTunes Store (for iPhones) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones).
After you submit your application, you may be contacted to do an eligibility interview. You can do your interview over the telephone without having to come into a benefits access center.
You can check the status of your application by going to ACCESS HRA.
Apply by mail
Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.
Download and complete the application.
Mail your application to:
New York City Home Energy Assistance Program
P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station
New York, NY, 10008
Apply by phone
Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.
To apply for Regular HEAP:
Download and complete the application.
Fax your application to 917-639-2900.
Emergency benefit:
The 2023-2024 Emergency Benefit is available until August 30, 2024, or until funds for this benefit are exhausted, whichever comes first.
To apply, call 718-557-1399. You must first apply and be approved for the HEAP Regular Benefit.
To check the status of your application, call 718-557-1399.
Apply in person
Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.
Find a HEAP office near you.
Gather your documents and bring them with you to the office.
Print and fill out the application before you go in. You can also complete it at the office.
Emergency benefit:
The 2023-2024 Emergency Benefit is available until August 30, 2024, or until funds for this benefit are exhausted, whichever comes first.
To apply to Emergency HEAP, visit your local HEAP Office. You must first apply and be approved for HEAP Regular Benefit. To check the status of your application, call 718-557-1399.