"Central Hudson was my backbone. When I was ready to give up, they didn't."

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides both regular and emergency financial grants to eligible households to help pay heating and/or utility bills. HEAP benefits are funded by the federal government and administered through the New York State Department of Social Services. Individuals who are 60 or older and do not receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits may contact their local Office for the Aging for eligibility requirements and to apply for benefits. 

Central Hudson customers who receive a HEAP benefit toward their account during the 2017-2018 HEAP season will be issued a monthly bill credit on their Central Hudson bill for a maximum of 12 months based on service type.

Regular HEAP Benefit
 Available: Nov. 13, 2017 - March 15, 2018 (anticipated closing date)

Below are the current eligibility guidelines, based on household size and income:

Customers may apply for Regular HEAP at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or contact the Department of Social Services in their county of residence, listed below.

Who to contact
Questions regarding application for the HEAP program should be directed to the NYS HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 or www.mybenefits.ny.gov or the Office For the Aging at 1-800-342-9871 or www.aging.ny.gov. 

Emergency HEAP Benefit 
Available: Jan. 2, 2018 - March 15, 2018 (anticipated closing date)
Non-Heating customers who have a Final Termination Notice who require electricity to run their heating unit, or heating customers with an Final Termination Notice or with less than ¼ tank of oil, kerosene or propane who have received Regular HEAP may be eligible for the benefits listed below. Also, beginning Feb. 12, 2018, a second emergency benefit is available for households who have exhausted both the Regular and first Emergency HEAP benefits and who are in a heat or heat-related energy emergency, as defined by HEAP and who meet the eligibility guidelines for emergency benefit assistance.

Customers who receive an Emergency HEAP grant will be provided with a new minimum deferred payment agreement.

Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefit Component

The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit component is available to help eligible low-income homeowners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the home’s primary heating source functional. The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit component opens Nov. 6, 2017, and the anticipated closing date is March 15, 2018.

Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to replace or repair the applicant’s furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment, up to a maximum of $6,500.

To receive a benefit, an application must be made in person at the local Department of Social Services and the applicant must receive a determination from the local Department of Social Services that they have met all established eligibility criteria, including established income and resource requirements. Benefits are paid directly to vendors after completion of all work. Prior to the start of the repair or replacement, the work must be approved and authorized by the local Department of Social Services.

Additional assistance programs

Learn about offers from Central Hudson on the payment assistance programs page.

To check your eligibility for a wide range of New York state programs and services, click here.