$327 Million Available in Home Heating Assistance for New Yorkers

Applications for home heating assistance will be accepted beginning Monday, November 13 throughout New York State. The Home Energy Assistance Program is making $327 million in federal funding available to eligible older New Yorkers and low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to help cover heating costs.

"As cold winter nights begin to set in, this funding will ensure New Yorkers receive the assistance they need to heat their homes and keep their families safe," Governor Cuomo said. "By securing this federal funding, residents across the state will no longer be forced to choose between buying food for their loved ones or paying their heating bill. I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to apply for this assistance in order to stay warm this winter season."

Households that are eligible can receive assistance of up to $726, depending on income, household size, and how the home is heated. A family of four can earn up to $53,482 per year and still qualify for help.

The program is overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Applications are accepted at local departments of social services, which can be found by county here.

Anyone living outside of New York City can apply for a regular Home Energy Assistance benefit online at myBenefits.ny.gov, and New York City residents are encouraged to download the application and mail it in.

Additionally, households may qualify for an emergency benefit if they are at risk of getting their heat shut off or running out of fuel. Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted beginning Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Anyone in need of emergency assistance should contact their local department of social services.

Last year, nearly 1.5 million households received assistance through HEAP. A breakdown of the number of households that received assistance last winter, by region, is below: 

Region	Households Served 2015-16
Capital Region	66,000
Central New York	60,134
Finger Lakes	90,863
Long Island	66,565
Mid-Hudson Valley	102,531
Mohawk Valley	46,213
New York City	824,843
North Country	35,839
Southern Tier	52,230
Western New York	134,585
Total	1,479,803

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts said, "Forecasts anticipate higher home heating costs nationally this winter, meaning HEAP is as important as ever. This assistance will help some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers stay safe and warm when the temperatures drop."

 U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer said, "Hundreds of thousands of fixed-income seniors and low- to moderate- income New Yorkers each year rely on this federal funding to help pay for the home heating costs that have become a larger and larger share of their budget. And with winter's chill right around the corner, this major federal investment will help New York's most vulnerable cover their high energy costs. This means fewer people will have to make the agonizing decision over whether to pay energy bills or put food on the table. Having these funds available now, in November, before winter begins rearing its ugly head across the northeast, is critical. This boost in home energy assistance could not come at a better time."

 Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo