New Yorkers now able to apply for program to reduce heating costs

Low-income and elderly New Yorkers again have the chance to get help paying for heating their homes this winter through the Home Energy Assistance Program.

As of Monday, New York households are able to apply for the HEAP, a federally funded program overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. It assists low-income and elderly New Yorkers with the cost of heating their homes during the winter and also offers emergency benefits for households who experience a heat or heat related energy emergency, according to a release from Cuomo’s office.

“The Home Energy Assistance Program is vital to helping struggling households afford the costs of heating their homes during the cold New York winters,” Cuomo said in the release.

The amount of money a household receives is based on its size, income and heating source. Eligible households can receive a one-time benefit of up to $625 for this winter, according to the release. For the coming season, a household of four can qualify as long as the income is no more than $51,792 per year, or $4,316 per month, according to the release.

Last winter 1.48 million households were able to receive benefits through HEAP, with New York City being the most served region at more than 780,000 household participants, according to the release.

“(HEAP) provides some much-needed relief, especially for low-income working families, as well as senior citizens on a fixed income,” Cuomo said in the release. “I encourage anyone in need of this assistance to apply before the coldest weather sets in.”

A household is considered to be having a heat-related emergency, according to the release, if it is in danger of running out of heating fuel or of having its utility service shut off. The household will then be eligible for emergency benefits, and household members can begin to apply for these benefits beginning on Jan. 4, 2016, according to the release. If a household is facing an energy emergency, household members are advised to contact their local department of social services for assistance, according to the release.

Those living outside of New York City can apply for a regular Home Energy Assistance benefit online at myBenefits.ny.gov. More than 42,000 households applied through the myBenefits website last year, according to the release.