New York officials announced that the delayed funding caused by the federal government shutdown has finally been resolved. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for this year is expected to open for applications as early as the first week of December.
HEAP is administered by the state of New York with funding from the federal government, providing eligible households with up to $996 for heating fuel costs or heating and cooling equipment expenses. The eligibility for application is determined by household income or participation in state assistance programs. For example, a family of three with a monthly income not exceeding $5,611 can apply; income standards are adjusted if there are vulnerable members in the household such as children, seniors aged 60 and above, or individuals with disabilities.
The Governor’s office stated that the state government had planned to start accepting HEAP applications for this year on November 24, but the delay in disbursing around $400 million of budget by the federal government led to an overall delay in the process. Typically, it takes about four weeks for federal budgets to be in place after an agreement is reached, but this time the delay was longer.
This week, New York state, along with other states, has received official notice from the federal government that funds are expected to start arriving in the first week of December, prompting the state government to immediately open applications to the public.
Another part of the emergency HEAP assistance (such as repairing malfunctioning heating systems, preventing energy shutoffs, or avoiding fuel depletion) is expected to open as early as January 2, 2026, but this also depends on whether the federal government can make timely payments.
New York state is also promoting another program called the Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which can provide a maximum discount of $500 on natural gas or electricity bills per household.
All HEAP beneficiaries will be automatically included in the EAP program. By 2026, EAP will expand to households with incomes below the median for their county, allowing them to apply even if they are not participating in other assistance programs.
Once HEAP is open for applications, New York City residents can apply through the following methods:
1. Apply in person: at 109 East 16th St. in Manhattan (Department of Social Services office for New York City);
2. Apply online: through the link access.nyc.gov
3. Mail or download forms: Application materials can be downloaded or requested by mail from the website (link otda.ny.gov).
4. Phone assistance: Seniors can contact their local Office for the Aging, while the general public can call the hotline at 800-342-9871, and both renters and homeowners are eligible to apply.
* HRA “One-Shot Deal” one-time assistance can prevent energy shutoffs and is applicable in cases of homelessness, post-disaster losses, domestic violence, etc.
* Charitable assistance: Organizations like The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and community action agencies may provide assistance. Visit findhelp.org and search by zip code for more information.
* Energy efficiency improvement programs: The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the New York State Energy Efficiency Upgrade Program (EmPower+) offer free home energy assessments and improvements such as insulation, sealing, and heat pump installations. For more information, visit the link: energyadvisor.ny.gov