New York State provided access to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) effective December 1, 2025, as reported by the Governor’s Office Kathy Hochul. The measure allowed eligible families and individuals Request funds to cover heating costs in winter.
According to official statements, the HEAP program can grant up to $996 per homean amount that varies depending on the type of fuel used, household income and the presence of members considered vulnerable, such as young children, older adults or people with disabilities.
The people who use it Oil, kerosene or propane The primary source of heat is considered to be those who can receive $900 plus the additional surcharges listed in the program guide and pay directly to the service provider.
To qualify for it Regular HEAP benefitA house must meet at least one of these conditions:
The government noted that a family of four can have an annual income of up to $80,165 and still be entitled. More than last season 1.5 million households accessed this seasonal help.
On the other hand, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has prepared this automatic payments for households that have already qualified through participation in other programsSo you don’t have to submit a new application or make any further agreements: the service is passed on directly to your heat supplier.
The opening was postponed by the Government shutdown that lasted 43 days and that resulted in the funds funding the program being unauthorized.
Because it is an aid financed entirely from national fundsits implementation depended on administrative reactivation.
In the statement the governor Kathy Hochul He called the shutdown “unacceptable,” coming in the middle of a cold snap across much of the United States.
In the same vein, he pointed out that the families of New York “They rely on this assistance to pay bills and keep their homes warm during the cold months.”.
In addition, he emphasized that his government is working to restore funding that was halted by the administrative pause.
Meanwhile, Hochul also called for an expansion of registration in the Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which provides the following Up to $500 in annual discounts on energy bills.
According to the governor, approx a million households are already receiving this relief, albeit approximately 1.5 million additional meet the requirements for accession.
If an individual or family is at risk of running out of fuel or experiencing a service outage, they can also apply Emergency HEAP.
The introduction of this special service is planned for the 2025-2026 cycle January 2, 2026as declared by the local government.
To get help, it is imperative to contact the local HEAP officeas the procedure cannot be carried out online. Households that:
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