New York calls its LIHEAP program “HEAP” — the Home Energy Assistance Program — administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) through local departments of social services in each of New York’s 62 counties plus New York City. HEAP is the largest state LIHEAP program by enrollment in the country, serving more than 1.5 million households per heating season.
New York’s HEAP has four components — Regular, Emergency, Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR), and Cooling Assistance — and a distinctive feature unique in this series: households receiving Public Assistance (PA), SNAP, or Code A SSI automatically receive HEAP payments without needing to apply, through OTDA’s pre-prepared automatic payment system.
New York HEAP’s Four Components
Regular HEAP — One Benefit Per Season
The Regular HEAP benefit is a one-time annual heating payment per program year. The 2025–2026 Regular HEAP opened December 1, 2025 and closed April 10, 2026. The 2026 season is expected to open in November 2026.
Maximum benefit: $996 — based on income, household size, heating source, and whether a vulnerable household member is present (a member under 6, age 60+, or permanently disabled increases the benefit).
Benefit ranges by housing type (Chautauqua County illustrative example):
- Homeowners and renters who pay heat separately: $400–$900 (regular HEAP)
- Renters with heat included in rent: $21–$50 (lower due to shared utility cost)
- Payments vary by income tier and heating fuel type
Tier 1 Enhancement — $61 additional: If a household’s gross income falls within the Tier 1 income range (lower portion of the eligible bracket), the base Regular HEAP benefit is increased by $61. Tier 1 eligibility is based on income and household size.
Automatic payments: OTDA prepares automatic HEAP payments at the start of each season for households receiving Public Assistance (PA), SNAP, or Code A SSI (SSI living alone). These households do not need to apply — payments are made directly to their heat supplier. Households receiving automatic payments should check with their local district to confirm their payment status.
Emergency HEAP — Heating Crisis
Emergency HEAP provides help during a heating emergency. The 2025–2026 Emergency HEAP opened January 2, 2026 and closed April 24, 2026. For the 2026 season, emergency benefits typically open in early January.
Emergency HEAP qualifying situations:
- Electricity (necessary for heating system or thermostat) is shut off or scheduled to be shut off
- Electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut off
- You are out of fuel, or have less than ¼ tank of fuel oil, kerosene, or propane
- You have less than a 10-day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or other deliverable fuel
Income requirement: same income guidelines as Regular HEAP, or you receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Code A SSI.
Emergency applications must be made through your HEAP Local District Contact — OTDA’s website cannot handle emergency applications.
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR)
HERR provides assistance with repair or replacement of primary heating equipment. For the 2025–2026 season, OTDA announced HERR would not open — citing funding constraints. Availability varies by season. When HERR is available, an eligibility interview (in person or by phone) is required. Monitor otda.ny.gov for 2026 HERR availability.
Cooling Assistance — Air Conditioners and Fans
New York’s HEAP Cooling Assistance provides a free air conditioner or fan (with installation). The 2025–2026 Cooling Assistance benefit opened April 15, 2026 and is scheduled to close June 5, 2026.
Benefit caps:
- Window or portable air conditioner, or fan (with installation): up to $800
- Existing wall sleeve unit: up to $1,000
- Only one AC unit or fan per applicant household
Who qualifies for Cooling Assistance:
- Income within HEAP guidelines (or automatic eligibility via SNAP/TA/Code A SSI) AND
- A household member with a medical condition exacerbated by heat
2026 policy change — age threshold lowered to 55: For the 2026 cooling cycle, New York lowered the automatic age qualification for the medical/age track from 60 to 55. Households with a member age 55 or older with a heat-sensitive condition now qualify even if their income is too high for SNAP-based qualification, as part of broader 2026 OTDA program updates.
If an air conditioner cannot be safely installed (e.g., building constraints), a fan is provided instead. Renters in NYC do not need landlord permission to apply for cooling assistance — but the HEAP-contracted installer will need building access.
New York HEAP Income Limits 2026
New York HEAP uses two income tiers — Tier 1 (lower income, enhanced benefit) and Tier 2 (higher income, base benefit). The maximum eligible income is based on 60% of State Median Income for the upper end of Tier 2.
2025–2026 HEAP Monthly Income Eligibility Guidelines (from OTDA):
| Household Size | Tier 1 Monthly Income | Tier 2 Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0 – $1,695 | $1,696 – $3,473 |
| 2 | $0 – $2,291 | $2,292 – $4,542 |
| 3 | $0 – $2,887 | $2,888 – $5,611 |
| 4 | $0 – $3,482 | $3,483 – $6,680 |
| 5 | $0 – $4,078 | $4,079 – $7,749 |
| 6 | $0 – $4,674 | $4,675 – $8,818 |
| 7 | $0 – $5,270 | $5,271 – $9,018 |
| 8 | $0 – $5,866 | $5,867 – $9,218 |
| 9 | $0 – $6,462 | $6,463 – $9,419 |
| 10 | $0 – $7,057 | $7,058 – $9,619 |
| Each additional member | Add $595 (Tier 1) | Add $687 (Tier 2) |
Source: Madison County NY HEAP Regular Benefit page citing OTDA guidelines. A family of 4 can have up to $6,680/month ($80,165/year) in gross income and still qualify. Confirm current guidelines at otda.ny.gov.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: New York HEAP has no asset test. You may be eligible even if you have money in the bank, stocks, bonds, or other resources.
Automatic eligibility: Households receiving SNAP (Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance (TA/Public Assistance), or Code A SSI (SSI living alone) are automatically income-eligible for HEAP without income review. These households also typically receive automatic payments.
New York City HEAP Application
New York City HEAP is handled through HRA (Human Resources Administration) rather than a county DSS. NYC residents submit applications to:
NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
Or apply online at MyBenefits.ny.gov (all New York State residents including NYC). NYC HEAP is also processed through ACCESS HRA — NYC’s integrated benefits portal.
How to Apply for New York HEAP
Step 1 — Apply Online at MyBenefits.ny.gov (Fastest)
Online: Apply at MyBenefits.ny.gov — New York State’s benefits portal. Supporting documents can be uploaded via the NYDocSubmit app (available on Google Play and Apple App Store).
OTDA Hotline: Call 1-800-342-3009 for program information and to find your HEAP Local District Contact. New York’s contact is also in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Older adults (age 60+): Contact your local Office for the Aging, or call the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871. Many county Offices for the Aging process HEAP applications for seniors.
For a general overview of the LIHEAP process, see how to apply for LIHEAP.
Step 2 — In Person, By Mail, or By Fax
In person: Visit your HEAP Local District Contact (county Department of Social Services). Find your local contact at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap.
By mail: Download the HEAP Application (Form LDSS-3421) from otda.ny.gov and mail to your HEAP Local District Contact (or PO Box 1401 for NYC residents). Mail-in applications postmarked on or before the closing date are accepted.
By fax: Many county districts also accept faxed applications. Check your local district for the fax number.
Step 3 — Required Documents
For non-automatic applicants (not receiving PA/SNAP/Code A SSI):
- Photo ID for the head of household (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID)
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of address — lease, utility bill, or recent mail
- Proof of current monthly income for all household members — pay stubs (most recent), Social Security benefit statements, pension statements
- Most recent utility or fuel bill showing account number and service address
- For HERR applications: eligibility interview required (in person or by phone)
- For cooling applications: documentation of medical condition exacerbated by heat
Step 4 — Processing Times
- Regular HEAP: notification no later than 30 business days from the date the local district received the complete application
- Emergency HEAP: expedited; contact your HEAP Local District Contact directly with your emergency situation
To follow up on a submitted application, see how to track your LIHEAP application status and contact your local district or call 1-800-342-3009.
New York Energy Affordability Program (EAP) — Separate from HEAP
Governor Hochul has promoted New York’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP) as a complementary program providing up to $500 in annual discounts on energy bills, through utility-level monthly credits. EAP serves approximately 1 million New York households, but an estimated 1.5 million more are eligible.
To learn about EAP eligibility and enrollment, visit ny.gov/EAP. HEAP approval may facilitate automatic EAP enrollment depending on your utility (NYSEG’s EAP, for example, automatically enrolls eligible HEAP recipients).
New York HEAP Funding 2026
New York consistently receives the largest LIHEAP allocation of any state — over $400 million in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026. In FY 2024, New York served more than 1.5 million heating households — the highest enrollment of any state in this series. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare New York with other states.
2026 funding context: Federal LIHEAP funding cuts under the Trump administration reduced the total pool available for FY 2026 compared to FY 2025, prompting Governor Hochul and New York’s congressional delegation to advocate for restored funding. Apply early — 2026 program cycles have been shorter due to tighter funding.
Additional Resources for New York Families
New York SNAP: Check New York SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in New York.
New York Medicaid: Check New York Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check New York WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across New York State.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HEAP in New York?
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) is New York’s name for the federal LIHEAP program, administered by OTDA through county Departments of Social Services. It provides Regular heating benefits, Emergency benefits, Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR), and Cooling Assistance.
What are the income limits for New York HEAP?
New York uses a two-tier system. For a household of 4: Tier 1 is up to $3,482/month (qualifying for the higher benefit) and Tier 2 is $3,483–$6,680/month ($80,165/year). There is no asset limit. Households receiving SNAP, TA, or Code A SSI are automatically eligible.
What is the Tier 1 enhancement?
Households in the lower Tier 1 income bracket receive their base Regular HEAP benefit plus an additional $61 enhancement. Tier 1 eligibility is determined by income and household size.
Do I need to apply if I receive SNAP or Public Assistance?
Often no — OTDA prepares automatic HEAP payments for households receiving PA, SNAP, or Code A SSI at the start of each season. Check with your local district to confirm your automatic payment status.
What changed about cooling eligibility in 2026?
New York lowered the age threshold for automatic cooling eligibility from 60 to 55. Households with a member age 55 or older with a heat-sensitive condition now qualify on the medical/age track for Cooling Assistance, even if income is above SNAP-based thresholds.
Will HERR be available for 2026?
HERR (Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement) did not open for the 2025–2026 season due to funding constraints. Check otda.ny.gov in fall 2026 for 2026 component availability.
For current New York HEAP information, visit otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ or apply at MyBenefits.ny.gov. Call the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 for program information and your local district contact.