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How to Apply for HEAP
Low-income New Yorkers may apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), by mail, in person at your local social services office, over the phone, or over the internet.
By Mail
You may apply for HEAP by mail if you received a HEAP benefit during the 2008-09 HEAP season and reside in the same county that your application was filed last year or if you are age 60 or older. Applications may be downloaded from the HEAP application page.
In Person
You may apply for HEAP in person at the local social services office in the county in which you reside on or after November 2, 2009. View contact information and address of the local social services office in your county.
If you are 60 years of age or older you may also be able to apply at your local office for the aging.
By Telephone
Applicants that have applied and been found eligible for a Regular benefit for in the 2009-10 HEAP season may apply for a heat or heat related Emergency benefit over the telephone. Temporary Assistance and Food Stamp recipients may apply for a heat or heat related Emergency benefit over the telephone by contacting their case worker or the local social services office in the county of residence on or after November 2, 2009.
Online
You may apply for HEAP online if your household resides in Allegany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Greene, Herkimer, Jefferson, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Steuben, Warren or Washington, received a HEAP benefit during the 2008–2009 season, and continues to reside in the same county. You may apply for HEAP online on or after November 2, 2009.
What do I have to bring?
- A current fuel and/or utility bill or receipt which document a direct vendor relationship for energy based upon actual usage billing or;
- a statement from your landlord that your heat and/or utilities are included in your rent
- Proof of income for the previous 4 weeks
- Unemployment insurance benefits book
- Bank book, interest or dividend statements
- Copies of Social Security or pension checks or direct deposit statements
- Business statements for the previous 3 months if you are self employed
You may also need to bring one of the following for each person in your household
- Birth or marriage certificates
- School or baptismal records
- Social Security Cards
- Driver’s license
Targeted Households
New York's benefit program is structured in such a way that higher benefits are provided to those households contain a vulnerable individual and have the lowest income.
Vulnerable individuals are defined as children under the age of 6, adults aged 60 or older, or disabled individuals.
It’s Easy to Find out if you May be Eligible for HEAP
To find out if you may be eligible for HEAP benefits, visit myBenefits.ny.gov to use the HEAP Pre-screening Eligibility Tool. This pre-screening tool is not an application for HEAP. An application for food stamps must be submitted to your local Food Stamp office. The current HEAP application is available from this site in English and Spanish. To find out the location of your nearest HEAP office, contact your local Department of Social Services.
Questions?
For further information about the Home Energy Assistance Program, you may call the Office of the Temporary and Disability Assistance toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3009.