Emergency / crisis benefit
Emergency HEAP helps eligible households that are without heat or in danger of losing heat because of a utility shutoff, empty tank, or non-functioning equipment. Apply through your local HEAP office, not by mail.
◢ New York · Utility Assistance · 2025-2026 Season
New York LIHEAP: income limits, benefits, and how to apply.
New York's energy assistance program is called Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Below: the current income table, benefit amounts, apply link, and hotline.
Season
Regular HEAP: November 3, 2025 through August 31, 2026 or until funds run out.
Benefit range
Regular benefit up to $900 for households heating with oil, kerosene, or propane.
Income standard
60% of State Median Income.
◢ Income eligibility
New York LIHEAP income limits.
Gross income for the calendar month before you apply. If your household is at or below the limit, you qualify.
| Household size | Max monthly gross | Max annual gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,473 | $41,676 |
| 2 people | $4,541 | $54,492 |
| 3 people | $5,609 | $67,308 |
| 4 people | $6,677 | $80,124 |
| 5 people | $7,745 | $92,940 |
| 6 people | $8,813 | $105,756 |
| 7 people | $9,013 | $108,156 |
| 8 people | $9,214 | $110,568 |
| 9 people | $9,414 | $112,968 |
| 10 people | $9,615 | $115,380 |
Source: New York state agency. Verified 2026-07-24. Some households above these limits may still qualify for crisis benefits.
◢ How much you can get
Benefit amounts.
Regular benefit up to $900 for households heating with oil, kerosene, or propane. Additional $61 Tier 1 add-on and $35 vulnerable-individual add-on where eligible.
◢ Beyond the regular grant
Emergency and cooling components.
Summer cooling assistance
Cooling Assistance HEAP opens April 15, 2026: up to $800 for a new air conditioner (or $1,000 for a heat pump) if a household member has a documented medical need.
◢ How to apply
Ways to apply for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
New York accepts Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) applications through multiple channels. Pick the one that fits your situation. Regular benefits are first-come, first-served, so apply as soon as the season opens.
- 01
Online through myBenefits.ny.gov (fastest for regular HEAP)
- 02
In person at your local Department of Social Services (required for emergency HEAP)
- 03
By mail using the LDSS-2921 application
- 04
By phone to the OTDA hotline at 1-800-342-3009 for a mailed application
◢ What to bring
Documents you need to apply.
Every New York household filing for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) needs the same core paperwork. Gather these first so the caseworker can process the application on the first visit.
Proof of identity
Driver's license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate for every adult in the household.
Proof of income (last 30 days)
Pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSI/SSDI statement, unemployment benefit letter, or a signed self-employment statement.
Proof of residence
Lease, mortgage statement, or a recent utility bill in your name at your current address.
Recent utility or fuel bill
Most recent bill from your primary heating source, plus SSNs for everyone in the household.
◢ Local offices
New York county offices that handle Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is processed at the county level in New York. Emergency benefits, in-person applications, and case questions all go through your county's Department of Social Services or equivalent office.
◢ If your application is denied
What to do if Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) says no.
Denial is not the end. Federal rule requires every Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) denial notice to name the specific reason and give you an appeals path. Work through this order.
- 01
Read the denial notice
Look for the specific reason (income over limit, missing document, wrong heating source on file). Most denials are documentation issues, not eligibility.
- 02
Request a fair hearing
In New York, you generally have 60 days from the notice date to request a fair hearing. Do it in writing and keep the confirmation.
- 03
Reapply with corrections
If the denial was for a missing document, you can typically reapply the same day with the corrected paperwork. No 30-day wait for documentation fixes.
- 04
Call 211 for bridge help
If shutoff is imminent while you appeal, 211 routes to New York community action agencies, faith-based emergency funds, and utility hardship programs that fill the gap.
◢ Official resources
New York Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) official links.
Bookmark these. Every eligibility rule, dollar amount, and season date on this page traces back to one of these primary sources.
NY.gov: Apply for Heating Assistance (HEAP)
www.ny.gov/services/apply-heating-assistance-heap
NYC HRA Energy Assistance (Home Energy Assistance)
www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance.page
LIHEAP Clearinghouse: NY State Plan 2026 (PDF)
liheapch.acf.gov/docs/2026/state-plans/NY_Plan_2026.pdf
myBenefits.ny.gov (application portal)
mybenefits.ny.gov/
◢ New York utility questions
What people ask about New York LIHEAP.
New York's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) uses 60% of State Median Income. Verified against NY OTDA 2025-2026 HEAP season table. A one-person household must earn under $3,473 per month, with limits scaling by household size. The full table is above.
Regular benefit up to $900 for households heating with oil, kerosene, or propane. Additional $61 Tier 1 add-on and $35 vulnerable-individual add-on where eligible.
Regular HEAP: November 3, 2025 through August 31, 2026 or until funds run out. Emergency HEAP opens January 2, 2026.
Emergency HEAP helps eligible households that are without heat or in danger of losing heat because of a utility shutoff, empty tank, or non-functioning equipment. Apply through your local HEAP office, not by mail.
Cooling Assistance HEAP opens April 15, 2026: up to $800 for a new air conditioner (or $1,000 for a heat pump) if a household member has a documented medical need.
Most states require: proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), proof of income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters, SSI/SSDI award), a recent utility bill or lease, and Social Security numbers for everyone in the household. Bring citizenship or eligible-immigration documents if requested.
Editorial disclaimer
GrantsHubUSA is an independent editorial blog. We do not administer Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or process applications. Always confirm current eligibility, deadlines, and contact details with the New York state agency before applying. See our full disclaimer.