New York's heating aid program is open: how to apply for HEAP and get up to $1,086

Update, Nov. 2: HEAP applications are now open. Households that do not get the benefit automatically can apply online, by mail or in person starting today, and eligible households could receive up to $1,086 this winter, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office announced Monday. Benefits are first-come, first-served.

New York's Home Energy Assistance Program, known as HEAP, opened for the winter on Monday, Nov. 2, and the state raised the benefit for households that rely on delivered heating fuel, the governor's office announced Oct. 16.

More than 1.5 million HEAP benefits were issued last heating season, and the state expects a similar number this winter, according to the announcement. New York City accounted for 927,691 of the 1,574,316 benefits statewide, by far the largest share of any region.

Who gets it automatically

Most recipients do not need to do anything. The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance prepares automatic payments for more than 1.1 million low- and middle-income households and older adults who are enrolled in other programs, including SNAP and Public Assistance, so the money can go out as soon as the program opens, the governor's office said.

Households that do not get the benefit automatically can apply as of Nov. 2. State officials expect hundreds of thousands of additional applications. Benefits are paid on a first-come, first-served basis, OTDA Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, and she urged people who need help to apply early.

How much, and who qualifies

Benefit amounts depend on income, household size, heating source and whether a household includes a vulnerable member. A family of four can have gross income of up to $6,852 a month, or $82,230 a year, and still qualify, the state said.

The state's 2026–27 HEAP desk guide lists these regular benefits:

• Natural gas or electric utility heat: base benefit $400.
• Oil, kerosene or propane: base benefit raised by $90 to $990.
• Wood, pellets or coal: raised by $65 to $700.
• Extra $61 for households that pay directly for heat and have income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
• Extra $35 if the household includes someone 60 or older, a child under 6 or a person who is permanently disabled.
• Heat included in your rent: $50 (lower-income Tier I) or $45 (Tier II), according to the desk guide.

That is how the top amount adds up: $990 for delivered fuel plus the $61 and $35 add-ons equals $1,086.

The governor's office tied the increase for delivered fuels to rising prices, saying heating oil costs are up 67% and kerosene 50% from a year ago, and blamed President Trump's war in Iran and federal economic policies.

How to apply in NYC

In the five boroughs, HEAP is run with the city's Human Resources Administration. ACCESS NYC says New Yorkers can apply through an ACCESS HRA account once applications open and can call the DSS One helpline at 718-557-1399 for help. Statewide information is at ny.gov/HEAP, and older adults can call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871, according to the state.

Emergency HEAP, for households about to run out of fuel or facing a utility shutoff, opens Jan. 4, 2027. Homeowners can also apply for HEAP's Clean and Tune benefit, which pays for a heating system cleaning, and for help repairing or replacing broken heating equipment; ACCESS NYC lists both as open since Oct. 1.