Heating and cooling assistance programs are available for financially struggling households to help pay energy bills to heat their homes in winter, and cooling costs in the summer. For New York residents, the program is called the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). In New Jersey, the program is called the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Energy Source Assistance
For New York residents, the HEAP program can assist in heating your home for the winter if you utilize electricity, natural gas, oil, coal, propane, wood or wood pellets, kerosene, or corn to heat your home. The program allows each household to buy and install either one fan, or one air conditioner. HEAP Benefits will cover up to $800 for the cooling source.
In New Jersey, the LIHEAP helps households that heat with natural gas or electricity by having benefits directly forwarded to their utility company. Households directly responsible to a fuel supplier for heating costs will receive a two-party check in the name of the applicant, as well as their fuel supplier. And households that have heating costs included in their rental payment will receive a one-party check in the name of the eligible applicant.
Eligibility
To receive HEAP in New York
- Your monthly household income is at or below the HEAP income guidelines.
- You and the members of your household are U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals or qualified aliens.
- You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance or Supplemental Security Income.
To receive LIHEAP in New Jersey
- The applicant household is financially responsible for the home heating and cooling costs, either in your rent bill or directly.
- Applicants have a gross income at or below sixty percent of the State Median Income.
When to Apply
For New York residents, the heat application period normally begins in early to mid-November and continues into the winter, until funding for the program runs out. And for cooling assistance, the application period opens May 1st, 2023 and continues into the summer, until funding for the program runs out.
For New Jersey residents, LIHEAP applications, which include both heating and cooling assistance, opened October 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
How to Apply
In New York, when HEAP season is open for heating assistance, you can apply for a regular HEAP Benefit in the following ways:
- Online: mybenefits.ny.gov (This online application is NOT available to NYC residents, who can only apply in person or by mail).
- In Person: Both New York City residents and non-New York City residents can apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact. Find that information here.
- In Writing/By Mail: If you live outside New York City, print and mail the completed HEAP application to your HEAP Local District Contact. New York City residents can mail their application to: HRA/HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
- When HEAP cooling season is open for cooling assistance, you can apply directly with your Local District Contact point person.
In New Jersey, if you believe you are eligible for the benefit you can apply by one of the following:
- Print out the application here.
- Once your application is filled out, submit it to your Local Community Action Agency, which you can locate here.
- For application assistance, you can contact the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Hotline at 1-800-510-3102.
More Information About the Heating and Cooling Programs
You can visit the New York State HEAP website here, for all information about the program. Residents outside of New York City can access the online application here. You can visit the New Jersey State LIHEAP website here, for all information about the program.