StateOTDA Home Programs & Services Home Energy Assistance Program HEAP Programs
HEAP Programs
- HEAP Regular Benefit
- HEAP Emergency Benefit
- Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement
- Cooling Assistance
- 2012-2013 HEAP Monthly Income Limits
HEAP Regular Benefit
The HEAP regular benefit component assists low-income New Yorkers with the cost of heating their homes. The Regular Benefit of the 2012-13 HEAP season opened November 19, 2012 and will close Friday, March 15, 2013.. Regular HEAP eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled. An eligible household may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year. Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household's primary source of heat.
Your household may be eligible for a regular HEAP benefit if:
- You and your household members are United States Citizens or qualified aliens and
- Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
- You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamp) benefits or
- You receive Temporary Assistance or
- You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)
| Base Benefit Amount | Living Situation |
|---|---|
| $1 | Eligible households that live in government subsidized housing or a group home setting with heat included in their rent. |
| $20 or $25 | Eligible households who have heating costs included as part of their rent. |
| $600 + applicable add-ons | Eligible households whose primary heat is oil, kerosene, or propane and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs. |
| $500 + 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. |
Regular HEAP Benefit Add-Ons for households paying directly for heat
The amount of the base HEAP regular benefit will be increased by $25 if the household’s gross income is in the Tier 1 income range (e.g., at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level).
The amount of the base HEAP regular benefit will be increased by $25 if the household contains a vulnerable individual (i.e., household member who is age 60 or older, under age 6 or permanently disabled).
HEAP Emergency Benefit
The HEAP emergency benefit component assists low-income New Yorkers who are facing a heat or heat related energy emergency and who do not have available liquid resources that exceed the established limits. The Emergency Benefit Component of the 2012-13 HEAP season opened January 2, 2013 and will close Friday, March 15, 2013..
If you have an emergency you must contact your local emergency contact for assistance. Assistance cannot be provided through this website.
Emergency HEAP eligibility and benefits are based on income, available resources, and the type of emergency.
You may be eligible for an emergency HEAP benefit 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 income is at or below the current income guidelines as posted in the table below or you receive Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP-the new name for the food stamp program) or Code A Supplemental Security Income.
- The heating and/or electric bill is in your name and
- Your household's available resources are:
- less than $2,000 if no member of your household is age 60 or older; or
- less than $3,000 if any member of your household is age 60 or older.
- If you are applying for a heating equipment repair or replacement, your available liquid resources cannot be more than the cost of the repair or replacement.
You may also be eligible for a HEAP funded heating equipment repair or replacement if your essential applicant owned heating equipment is inoperable and if you meet the income requirements. If you are applying for a heating equipment repair or replacement, your available liquid resources cannot be more than the cost of the repair or replacement.
| Type of Emergency | Amount |
|---|---|
| Heat Related Domestic (electric service required to operate heating equipment) | $160 |
| Natural Gas Heat Only | $400 |
| Natural Gas Combined with Heat Related Domestic | $560 |
| Electric Heat Combined with Heat Related Domestic | $560 |
| Non-utility heating fuel (oil, kerosene, and propane) | $600 |
| Non-utility heating fuel (wood, pellets, coal, corn, etc.) | $500 |
Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement
The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Component of the Home Energy Assistance Program is available to help eligible low-income home owners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional.
Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to replace or repair the applicants' furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment necessary to keep the home's primary heating source operational up to $6,500.
To receive a benefit, an application must be made in person at the local department of social services and the applicant must receive a determination from the local department of social services that the applicant has met all established eligibility criteria, including established income and resource requirements. Benefits are paid directly to vendors after completion of all work for previously approved applications only.
The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Component of the 2012-13 HEAP season closed February 1, 2013.
Cooling Assistance
The HEAP Cooling Assistance Program will provide for the purchase and installation of air conditioners not to exceed $800 or a fan to eligible households. Whenever possible, window air conditioning units with an Energy Star rating will be installed. In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided. Only one air conditioner will be provided per dwelling. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.
Applications for the HEAP Cooling Assistance Program will be accepted beginning April 1, 2013 through August 30, 2013, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Cooling benefits and services are provided on a first come, first served basis to eligible households.
Your household may be eligible for a HEAP Cooling Assistance Program benefit if:
- You and your household members are United States Citizens or qualified aliens, and includes an individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by heat AND
- Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
- You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamp) benefits or
- You receive Temporary Assistance or
- You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)
Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local Department of Social Services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.
Your household will not be eligible if:
- You received only $1.00 regular HEAP benefit payment or
- You currently have a working air conditioner less than five years old, as determined by the vendor or
- You received a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past 10 years.
Getting the air conditioner installed
A participating Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) vendor list can be obtained at your local Department of Social Services. It will be your responsibility to maintain the air conditioner. This includes the responsibility to remove, cover, store, and/or reinstall the unit or the installation sleeve after vendor installation.
Where to apply
You may apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance Program at your local Department of Social Services.
2012-2013 HEAP Monthly Income Limits
Your total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,138 |
| 2 | $2,796 |
| 3 | $3,453 |
| 4 | $4,111 |
| 5 | $4,769 |
| 6 | $5,427 |
| 7 | $5,550 |
| 8 | $5,673 |
| 9 | $5,797 |
| 10 | $5,920 |
| 11 | $6,346 |
| Each additional | Add $495 |
Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your local department of social services office or the NYS HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009. Want to see if you may be eligible? Complete a HEAP pre-screening on www.mybenefits.ny.gov
This page contains links to PDF documents. Download Acrobat Reader to view these documents.