New York's heating aid program opens Nov. 2, with bigger checks for oil and propane users

New York's Home Energy Assistance Program, known as HEAP, will open for the winter on Monday, Nov. 2, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office announced Friday, and the state is raising the benefit for households that rely on delivered heating fuel.

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 starting 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.

• 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.

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 already 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.