"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 during the 2019-2020 HEAP season will be issued a monthly bill credit on their Central Hudson bill for a maximum of 12 months based on service type. Click here for more information on the Low Income Bill Discount Program.

The HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit will open May 1, 2020.  Click here for more information. 

Regular HEAP Benefit
2019-2020 season (begins Nov. 12, 2019)

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.

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

2019-2020 season (begins Jan. 2, 2020)
Non-heating customers who have a Final Termination Notice who require electricity to run their heating unit, or heating customers with a 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.

Customers who receive an Emergency HEAP grant will be provided with a new minimum deferred payment agreement. Applicants for the emergency benefit may apply via telephone or in person at the local Department of Social Services.

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 for the 2019-2020 season begins Nov. 4.

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.

The Clean and Tune benefit is part of this component, providing assistance to eligible households having their primary heating system cleaned and tuned. Households requesting this benefit must complete the HEAP Heating Equipment Clean and Tune Request for Benefit form (LDSS-5081). Applicants without an open and active HEAP or SNAP case will also have to complete a 2018-2019 HEAP application (LDSS-3421). Applicants requesting this benefit who received a regular HEAP benefit greater than $35 during the HEAP season are not required to have an interview. 

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.