$372 Million Available in Home Heating Assistance for New Yorkers
Federal funding is available for seniors, working families and low-and moderate-income residents
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, REF - Sag Harbor) today announced that applications for home heating assistance are now being accepted throughout New York State. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is making $327 million in federal funding available to eligible older New Yorkers and low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to help cover heating costs. Applications for HEAP are being accepted by local departments of social services.
Eligible households can receive assistance of up to $726, depending on income, household size and how the home is heated. A family of four can have a household income of up to $55,178 a year, or $4,598 a month, and still qualify for help.
Last year, more than 1.4 million households received heating assistance through HEAP, which is overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. On Long Island, 66,147 households received assistance last winter.
Anyone living outside of New York City can apply for a regular HEAP benefit online at myBenefits.ny.gov. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, households that have already received assistance may qualify for a one-time emergency HEAP benefit if they are at risk of getting their heat shut off or running out of fuel, which they cannot afford to resupply. Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted starting on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Anyone in need of emergency assistance should contact their local department of social services.