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HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)

HEAP is a federally funded program that helps income-qualifying customers with pay heating and cooling costs for electricity, gas and other heating fuels.  There is also an emergency HEAP benefit program available starting in January. The heating equipment repair and replacement benefit and clean and tune benefit components will NOT open this season. Customers who are eligible for HEAP and other qualifying programs are also eligible for Central Hudson’s Bill Discount Program. If your account receives a HEAP credit, you will automatically be enrolled in our Bill Discount Program.

2025/2026 program details

PROGRAM COMPONENT DATES

  • Opening date for HEAP's regular component has been postponed until Nov. 17, 2025. This date is contingent on federal action to fund the program and timely notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding New York's allocation. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will issue updated guidance as additional information becomes available. 
  • Emergency benefits open on Jan. 2, 2026.
  • The heating equipment repair and replacement will NOT open this season.
  • The clean and tune benefit will NOT open this season.
  • The cooling assistance component opens on April 15, 2026. Anticipated closing date is June 22, 2026.

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

 

How to Apply

Customers can learn more about these benefits and apply for HEAP at MyBenefits.ny.gov or (800) 342-3009. 

 

Benefit amounts

2025-2026 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. 

$900 + applicable add-ons

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

$635 + 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 $3,473
2 $4,542
3 $5,611
4 $6,680
5 $7,749
6 $8,818
7 $9,018
8 $9,218
9 $9,419
10 $9,619
11 $9,820
12 $10,020
13 $10,221
Each additional Add $687
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 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), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or code A SSI. 

The amount of the base regular beneift 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 2025-2026 emergency benefit will open on Jan. 2, 2026. There will be no second emergency benefit opening in 2026.

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, or you 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 other 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 Nutrution 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 electirc 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. 

 

2025-2026 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) $900
Non-utility heating fuel (wood, pellets, coal, corn, etc.) $635