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 are closed.
• Emergency benefits:
  • Applications for the 2023-2024 Emergency Benefit closed on July 22, 2024.
  • 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
    • 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 – helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan.

    Next section:

    Related

    More ways to get help with this program

    Visit the website

    Visit the OTDA website for HEAP to learn more about this program.

    Call 311

    Ask for assistance with the Home Energy Assistance Program.

    Call HEAP

    Call 718-557-1399 for help with HEAP.

    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

    Household Size	Maximum Monthly Gross Income for 2023-2024
    1	$3,035
    2	$3,970
    3	$4,904
    4	$5,838
    5	$6,772
    6	$7,706
    7	$7,881
    8	$8,056
    9	$8,231
    10	$8,407
    11	$8,582
    12	$8,890
    13	$9,532
    For each additional person, add:	Add $642

    Your household may be eligible for Emergency HEAP benefits if you can answer yes to these questions:

    1. 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.
    2. Is your heating or electric bill in your name?
    3. 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?
    4. 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.

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    3. What you need to include

    This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

    Proof of residence (where you live)

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    • 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

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    • 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

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    • 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

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    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

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    • A valid Social Security Number for household members that have one.

    Proof of vulnerability

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    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

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    4. How to apply

    Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.

    1. Apply online on ACCESS HRA.
    2. 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).
    3. 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.
    4. You can check the status of your application by going to ACCESS HRA.

    Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.

    1. Download and complete the application.
    2. Mail your application to:
       New York City Home Energy Assistance Program
       P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station
       New York, NY, 10008

    Applications for the 2023-2024 HEAP Regular Benefit closed on April 12, 2024.

    To apply for Regular HEAP:

    1. Download and complete the application.
    2. Fax your application to 917-639-2900.
    • Applications will close at 5 p.m. on July 19, 2024.
    • 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.

    1. Find a HEAP office near you.
    2. Gather your documents and bring them with you to the office.
    3. Print and fill out the application before you go in. You can also complete it at the office.
    • Applications will close at 5 p.m. on July 19, 2024.
    • 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.

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    More ways to get help with this program

    Visit the website

    Visit the OTDA website for HEAP to learn more about this program.

    Call 311

    Ask for assistance with the Home Energy Assistance Program.

    Call HEAP

    Call 718-557-1399 for help with HEAP.

    Last Updated September 4, 2024

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