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HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)

HEAP is a federally funded program that helps income-qualifying customers pay heating and cooling costs for electricity, gas, and other heating fuels. There is also an Emergency HEAP benefit program available starting in January. Customers who are eligible for HEAP and other qualifying programs are also eligible for Central Hudson’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP). If your account receives a HEAP payment, you will automatically be enrolled in our Energy Affordability Program (EAP), formerly known as the Bill Discount Program.

2026/2027 program details

PROGRAM BENEFIT DATES

  • Regular HEAP program: Opens on November 2, 2026, and closes on April 16, 2027.
  • Emergency HEAP program: Opens on January 4, 2027, and closes on April 16, 2027.
  • The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) program: Opens on October 1, 2026, and closes on April 16, 2027.
  • The Clean and Tune program: Opens on October 1, 2026, and closes on April 16, 2027.
  • The Cooling Assistance program: Opens on April 15, 2027, and closes on June 4, 2027.

All benefit program dates may be shortened or extended depending on demand and available funding.

 

How to Apply

Customers can learn more about HEAP benefits and apply online at MyBenefits.ny.gov or by contacting their local Department of Social Services (DSS) office.

 

Benefit amounts

2026-2027 REGULAR HEAP BENEFITS

Benefit Amount Living Situation

$21

Eligible households that live in government-subsidized housing or a group home setting with heat included in their rent.

$45 or $50

Eligible households who have heating costs included as part of their rent.

$990 + applicable add-ons

Eligible households whose primary heat is oil, kerosene or propane and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs.

$700 + applicable add-ons

Eligible households whose primary heat is wood, wood pellets, coal, corn, or other deliverable fuel and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs.

$400 + applicable add-ons

Eligible households whose primary heat is electricity or natural gas and who make direct payments based on their household's actual usage to the vendor.

 

Household size Maximum gross monthly income
1 $3,563
2 $4,659
3 $5,756
4 $6,852
5 $7,948
6 $9,045
7 $9,250
8 $9,456
9 $9,662
10 $9,867
11 $10,073
12 $10,278
13 $10,515
Each additional Add $710+
REGULAR BENEFIT ADD-ONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS PAYING DIRECTLY FOR HEAT

The amount of the base regular benefit will be increased by $61 if the household's gross income is in the Tier 1 income range. Tier 1 eligibility is based on gross income and household size, on the date of application the household's gross income must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level for the household size; or at least one adult household member must be in receipt of ongoing assistance through Temporary Assistance (TA) also known as Public Assistance (PA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Code A SSI.

The amount of the base Regular HEAP benefit will be increased by $35 if the household contains a vulnerable individual (household member who is age 60 or older, under age 6, or permanently disabled).

 

Emergency HEAP benefits

The 2026-2027 Emergency HEAP benefit opens on January 4, 2027.

If you are eligible, the emergency HEAP benefits can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat-related emergency. Emergency benefits and eligibility are based on:

  • income;
  • available resources; and
  • the type of emergency. 

You may be eligible for an emergency HEAP benefit if:

  • your electricity is necessary for your heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut off or scheduled to be shut off; or
  • your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut off; or
  • you are out of fuel, have less than one-quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene, or propane, or have less than a 10-day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or another deliverable heat source;

AND

  • your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table above; or
  • you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; or
  • you receive Temporary Assistance (TA); or
  • you receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) living alone; and
  • the heating and/or electric bill is in your name; and
  • your household's available resources are:
    • less than $2,500; or
    • less than $3,750 if any member of your household is age 60 or older; or under age 6. 

 

2026-2027 EMERGENCY HEAT AND HEAT-RELATED HEAP BENEFIT AMOUNTS

Type of emergency Amount
Heat-related domestic (electric service required to operate heating equipment) $185
Natural gas heat only $400
Natural gas combined with heat-related domestic $585
Electric heat combined with heat-related domestic $585
Non-utility heating fuel (oil, kerosene, propane) $990
Non-utility heating fuel (wood, pellets, coal, corn, etc.) $700