Nearly 1 million New York City households relied on heating assistance last winter to keep their homes warm. Now, after a month-long delay caused by the federal government shutdown, they can apply again.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) opened applications Monday, offering both emergency and one-time payments toward utility bills or fuel delivery costs. It's a lifeline that arrives as temperatures drop—but there's a catch: funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and last year the state ran out by late January, months earlier than usual.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility hinges on household size and income. A four-person family earning below $80,160 annually qualifies, though the threshold varies by household composition. The program also prioritizes households that include someone 60 or older, 6 or younger, or with a permanent disability. The amount of aid varies depending on individual circumstances.
We're a new kind of news feed.
Regular news is designed to drain you. We're a non-profit built to restore you. Every story we publish is scored for impact, progress, and hope.
Start Your News DetoxIn New York City, applications go through the Human Resources Administration. Older adults can get help with the application process by contacting their local office for the aging or calling NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871.
The Broader Picture
The program exists because energy costs consume an outsized share of many New Yorkers' budgets. According to climate policy research from Switchbox, one in four New York residents is "energy burdened"—spending at least 6% of their income on utilities. In the Bronx, that figure climbs to 34%, among the highest rates in the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul has pushed the Trump administration to release the $400 million in federal funds that support HEAP earlier in the season, hoping to prevent the program from running dry before winter ends. The delays this year underscore a persistent tension: demand for heating assistance far outpaces the window when funds remain available.
Applications are open now, and the clock is ticking. Those who qualify should apply soon—waiting until January could mean missing out entirely.
