Help with your
New York utility bills.
Heating help in New York comes as five separate HEAP benefits, overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Each one opens on its own date during the 2026-2027 program year, and two of them only serve homeowners.
Inside the five boroughs, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) takes applications. Everywhere else, your county's HEAP Local District Contact does. The OTDA hotline, 1-800-342-3009, answers general questions.
Eligibility
New York income limits
| Household size | Monthly gross income | Annual gross income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,563 | $42,756 |
| 2 people | $4,659 | $55,908 |
| 3 people | $5,756 | $69,072 |
| 4 people | $6,852 | $82,224 |
| 5 people | $7,948 | $95,376 |
| 6 people | $9,045 | $108,540 |
| 7 people | $9,250 | $111,000 |
| 8 people | $9,456 | $113,472 |
| 9 people | $9,662 | $115,944 |
| 10 people | $9,867 | $118,404 |
Source: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Verified October 15, 2026.
Meeting the income guideline does not guarantee assistance. Other program rules and available funding apply.
HEAP's five benefits and their 2026-2027 dates
The equipment benefits opened first, on October 1, 2026. Cash help for heating bills follows in November, and the emergency benefit waits until January.
- Regular HEAP: scheduled to open November 2, 2026. One payment per program year toward your main heating source.
- Emergency HEAP: scheduled to open January 4, 2027, for heat that is off, set to be shut off, or nearly out of fuel.
- Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR): opened October 1, 2026. Up to $4,000 for a repair or $8,000 for a replacement.
- Clean and Tune: opened October 1, 2026. Pays the actual cost of servicing your heating equipment, up to $500.
- Cooling Assistance: one air conditioner or fan per household. The 2025-2026 round closed June 5, 2026.
How OTDA sizes a Regular HEAP payment
Fuel type and how you pay for it set the base amount. Paying an oil, kerosene or propane dealer directly starts at $990. Wood, pellets, coal or corn starts at $700. Electric or natural gas heat billed on actual usage starts at $400.
When heat is part of your rent, the base drops to $45 or $50, or $21 in subsidized housing or a group home. Direct payers can get $61 more for Tier 1 income and $35 more if someone is 60 or older, under 6, or permanently disabled.
The income table on this page uses New York's 2026-2027 HEAP limits, which the federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists as 60% of State Median Income.
Receiving SNAP, federally funded Temporary Assistance, or Code A SSI (living alone) also qualifies you on income. A household member must still be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
Living outside New York, or helping a parent who does? Check our state-by-state table of LIHEAP income limits nationwide.
When the heat is off: Emergency HEAP and winter utility rules
Emergency HEAP covers gas or electric heat that is off or scheduled for shutoff, electricity your heating system needs, or less than a quarter tank of oil, kerosene or propane. For wood, pellets or corn, the trigger is under a 10 day supply.
It adds a resource test: under $2,500, or under $3,750 if anyone in the home is 60 or older or under 6. The heating or electric bill must be in your name. Payments run from $185 to $990 depending on the type of emergency.
From November 1 to April 15, utilities must make a special effort to learn whether cutting heat would endanger health or safety, per the federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse. Shutoff questions go to the Department of Public Service at 800-342-3355.
Fair hearings through OTDA
OTDA's Office of Administrative Hearings lets you tell an administrative law judge why a decision a local social services agency made about your case is wrong.
You can ask for a hearing online, by calling 1-800-342-3334, by faxing the request form to 518-473-6735, or in person in New York City or Albany. NYC residents with an emergency can call 1-800-205-0110.
Source: NY OTDA: Request a Fair Hearing
New York City applications versus county HEAP offices
City residents can apply for Regular HEAP on ACCESS HRA, at a HEAP office, or by faxing form LDSS 3421 to 917-639-2900. Emergency HEAP in the city is handled by phone at 718-557-1399 or in person, not online.
Statewide, Clean and Tune and Cooling applications go through your HEAP Local District Contact, and city residents can also file for Cooling on ACCESS HRA. Repair or replacement work must be approved by that office before it starts, and the vendor is paid once the job is done.
HRA notes that HERR is given to an eligible applicant only once every ten years.
Source: NYC HRA: Energy Assistance
Ways to apply for HEAP
- Contact your HEAP Local District Contact (listed on otda.ny.gov) for Regular, Emergency, Clean and Tune, or repair and replacement benefits
- New York City: apply online on ACCESS HRA, or fax the HEAP Application (LDSS 3421) to 917-639-2900
- New York City Emergency HEAP: call DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399 or apply in person
- Call the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 with questions
New York county offices for HEAP
Local agencies in New York's largest counties. Confirm the current provider for your address.
Other help in New York
Other programs that may help your household.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Yes. HEAP is New York's name for the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). OTDA oversees it, and HRA in New York City or your county's HEAP office takes applications.
OTDA has scheduled Regular HEAP to open November 2, 2026, and Emergency HEAP on January 4, 2027. The repair, replacement and Clean and Tune benefits already opened on October 1, 2026.
Yes. If heat is included in your rent, the base benefit is $45 or $50, or $21 in government subsidized housing or a group home. If you pay the heating vendor directly, the base amount depends on your fuel type instead.
If you own the home, HERR can pay up to $4,000 for a repair or $8,000 for a replacement after your local district approves the work. If HEAP cannot help, OTDA points to emergency aid through Temporary Assistance.
Cooling Assistance gives one air conditioner or fan, up to $800 installed or $1,000 for a wall sleeve unit. Someone in the home needs a heat-sensitive medical condition or must be 60 or older or under 6.
You also need no working air conditioner, or one at least five years old, and no HEAP unit in the past five years.
Cleaning your main heating equipment and, if needed, chimney cleaning, minor repairs, carbon monoxide detectors or a programmable thermostat, up to $500. You must own the home and have no service contract that already covers it.
Official resources
Official links
Independent guide
GrantsHubUSA explains benefit programs and links to official resources. We do not approve benefits or process applications.
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