Winter Heating Help Will Soon Be Available For New Yorkers

It's hard to believe, but autumn is in full swing all across New York State. As people travel around the Empire State to view the fall foliage, it's important not to lose sight that it's beyond time to ensure we're winter-ready. The weather is turning cooler daily, and it'll be full-on winter before we know it.

While countless New Yorkers refuse to turn their heat on yet, the time to ensure your heating system is ready is right now. Freezing temperatures will be here before you know it, and then we'll all be clicking on our furnaces and fireplaces and turning the thermostats on. Like most things lately, heating costs are expected to be more expensive this year, and there is very little doubt that we'll have to deal with some sky-high heating bills through the winter.

There are all kinds of things that we can do to help keep the cost of heating our homes down, but there is only so much you can do. As costs continue to rise, not everyone in the Empire State will be able to afford their heating bills. While the economy is booming for some, New York still has large pockets of poverty, and sometimes, people need a little help.

Fortunately for people who live in the Empire State, government officials from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance have announced that the HEAP program, which has existed since 1981, will soon open for applications for heating assistance.

What Is HEAP and What Does HEAP Do?

HEAP, which stands for the Home Energy Assistance Program (and sometimes referred to as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP), was created in the early 1980s to help low-to-moderate income individuals and families afford increasingly unaffordable heating and cooling costs, with the ultimate goal to help prevent potential health and safety issues that come from not having heat in the winter and cooling in the summer.

In New York State, residents may be eligible to receive financial assistance if they meet income and other guidelines. Residents may also qualify for a 2nd emergency HEAP payment of financial aid if they are in danger of running out of fuel or having their utility services shut off.

HEAP can help pay for Electricity, Natural Gas, Oil, Coal, Propane, Wood, Kerosene, Corn, or other heating/cooling fuel types.

When Does HEAP Open For Applications?

HEAP opens statewide this year on Friday, November 1, 2024, and eligible people can begin submitting their applications for assistance in person or online.

To qualify for assistance, the following requirements need to be met, according to New York State officials:

• A member of your household is a United States Citizen or qualified alien
• Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
• You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
• You receive Temporary Assistance or
• You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)

If you qualify and are approved for assistance, the money is paid straight to the energy company to ensure that it is maintained or restored. If you think you qualify, you should send in your application as soon as possible since funding for our state programs is always limited.

What Else Is Out There To Help New Yorkers This Winter?

Using HEAP benefits to pay your heating costs isn't the only thing you can do or apply for. There are plenty of things that we New Yorkers can do to help reduce our heating costs. One of the best things you can do is just make sure you've prepared your house or apartment for the winter weather.

The state also offers assistance if you need to repair or replace your entire heating system. Click here for more information about the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Program (HERR).