1.5 million New Yorkers eligible for help covering home heating costs this winter

New York, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that New York's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will open Monday, Nov. 2, and provide financial assistance to help New Yorkers pay their heating bills amid rising utility and heating fuel costs.

Of the 1.5 million HEAP benefits that are set to be issued this heating season in New York, a total of 132,462 households in Western New York will be eligible to receive those benefits.

"Our Home Energy Assistance Program is going to begin accepting applications Nov. 2. That's why I'm standing here today, to tell everybody, start preparing for this. It's just right around the corner," said Gov. Hochul on Friday. "Qualifying households can save up to hundreds of dollars on their utility bills this very winter, and that extra money might help pay for that extra cost for the groceries. And if you're buying the groceries or the baby formula, the diapers, the school clothes — it all adds up."

Hochul says New York is efforting to issue even more support for families in Western New York and across the state.

"Last year, we issued 1.3 million HEAP benefits totaling $400 million. $400 million back to help reduce the cost for New Yorkers, and we expect to do the same this year," she said.

Gov. Hochul attributes the rising costs to President Trump’s War in Iran and federal economic policies.

"People are already thinking about what the fall and the winter are going to bring for them, in terms of an increase in their energy bills, and how frustrating that can be. And also, we have another factor going on that wasn't there before: Donald Trump's war with Iran is driving up the cost of everything. Cost of gas, utilities, groceries, the tariffs as well. So there's even more for families to have to worry about," said Gov. Hochul on Friday. "This is from a president who promised to lower costs. We all heard him say it. Instead, he's waging a war 6,000 miles away that is literally, by the hour, making your lives more difficult and more expensive. Right before the President took office, December of 2024, inflation was about 2.9%. A report this week said it is now 3.7%, the exact opposite of what he promised just two years ago. Now we're seeing the effects of this."

In response to rising fuel costs, Gov. Hochul also directed state officials to increase the HEAP benefit amount for New Yorkers who have their heating fuel delivered to their home.

"There are families who rely on oil and kerosene to heat their homes, particularly in our more rural areas. This is their lifeline, and those costs are going to just skyrocket," Gov. Hochul explained. "The price of heating oil is now 67% higher. The cost of kerosene is up 50%. So in response, New York State is increasing the heat benefit for eligible families to have kerosene and oil and other types of fuel delivered to their homes. Because again, this is another cost of the tariffs, the war, all conspiring against New Yorkers who are struggling on a good day. Because they should not have to bear the brunt of the President’s reckless war or his economic policies that are absolutely failing to achieve what he said he would do."

The benefit amount for those who heat with oil, kerosene, or propane has been increased by $90, to $990, and the amount for those who heat with wood, pellets, and coal increased by $65 to $700.

In addition, all households that pay directly for heat can also receive an extra $61 if the household’s income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level for the household size. They can also receive an extra $35 in assistance if the household includes anyone 60 or older, under age 6, or permanently disabled.

Most households receiving HEAP get it automatically without needing to apply or take any additional action due to their enrollment in other assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Public Assistance (PA). The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) prepares these automatic payments ahead of time so that, once the program opens, the payments can be promptly and automatically issued to more than 1.1 million low- and middle-income households and older adults to help keep their homes warm this winter in the face of skyrocketing energy costs.

Households that do not automatically receive assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can begin applying on Nov. 2. State officials estimate that hundreds of thousands of additional households are expected to apply for HEAP benefits.

The benefit amounts vary based on income, household size, heating source, and if the household includes a vulnerable member. A family of four can have a gross monthly income up to $6,852, or an annual gross income of up to $82,230, and still qualify for assistance.

"Making New York more affordable isn't just a policy priority, it's personal," Gov. Hochul said. "Every time we launch a program or expand a benefit or initiate an initiative, it's focused on one goal: Making life just a little bit easier for hardworking New Yorkers. And that's what the HEAP program represents — real, tangible help, monetary help for the families who need it the most."

Applications for assistance are accepted at local departments of social services and can be submitted online, through the mail or in person. New Yorkers can visit ny.gov/HEAP to learn more and apply. Additionally, older adults needing assistance with HEAP applications can contact their local office for the aging or contact the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871. The New York State Office for the Aging also has a series of tutorials on its website to assist older adults in applying for benefits, including a video on applying for HEAP.

Eligible households can receive one Regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility services shut off. Applications for the additional emergency benefits will be accepted beginning Jan. 4, 2027.