Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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New York program

Help with heating and cooling bills (HEAP)

HEAP helps eligible households with heating, energy emergencies and cooling during open benefit seasons.

What it is

HEAP helps eligible households with heating, energy emergencies and cooling during open benefit seasons.

An energy bill can become harder to manage when treatment cuts into pay. HEAP offers several kinds of seasonal help. A utility discount may also be available through the Energy Affordability Program.

Eligibility rules
  • The published 2026–2027 monthly HEAP ceilings are $3,563 for one person, $4,659 for two, $5,756 for three, $6,852 for four, $7,948 for five and $9,045 for six. The district decides which people and income count.
  • Enhanced EAP began January 13, 2026 with self-registration. Its income measure is state median income, or area median income for certain utilities.
What you get
  • A seasonal payment toward eligible heating or cooling costs.
  • Emergency energy help when that benefit is open.
  • A separate utility discount through EAP or Enhanced EAP when the account qualifies and is enrolled.
What the help includes
  • Regular, emergency and cooling benefits have separate operating periods.
  • Enhanced EAP uses area median income for Con Edison, National Grid Metro and National Grid Long Island.
If you decide to apply
  1. Ask your local DSS which HEAP benefit is open and what it covers.
  2. Have the fuel or utility bill, current household income, address and any shutoff notice ready.
  3. Ask the utility about its Energy Affordability and Enhanced Energy Affordability programs.

Local Department of Social Services HEAP office; utility customer-service office · Official page ↗

After you ask
  • The regular 2025–2026 season closed April 10, 2026, emergency benefits April 24, and cooling June 5.
  • The county can explain whether an energy emergency also fits another assistance route.
Good to know

A HEAP award does not automatically lower every utility bill. Your utility confirms whether your account is matched or needs separate enrollment.

Other details
  • A medical shutoff hold under HEFPA is separate from a HEAP payment and does not erase the utility bill.
  • Your HEAP office confirms the 2026–2027 opening and closing dates, benefit amounts and emergency process. Earlier seasons’ dates and awards do not establish the new season’s help. The regular application decision standard is 30 business days; that is not an emergency shutoff response time. EAP accepts several qualifying benefits, including HEAP. Some utility accounts are matched automatically; others need proof. Enhanced EAP began January 13, 2026 for additional income-qualified customers of participating utilities. It has a separate enrollment route. The affordability target does not guarantee a bill capped at 6% of your income.

Federal background: LIHEAP.

Official sources
Ask your social worker

“Is any energy help open for our household, and would it reduce this bill or only future charges? Could you help us compare HEAP with the utility discount and request the right help?”

Why I’m asking: We want to understand what can make the utility bill manageable while treatment affects our budget.

More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules

Who does what

The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.

You

Apply when the season opens, bring the bill and any notice, and register for the utility discount.

Your social worker

The social worker documents the medical risk of a disconnection for the emergency request.

The care team

Writes the medical-risk letter.

Who decides
The local Department of Social Services under the state HEAP plan; the utility applies the Energy Affordability discount.
Ask your social worker
“Can the team write a letter that losing power or heat would endanger our child, for the HEAP emergency request and the utility's medical hold?”

How to apply

First step: Ask the local Department of Social Services when the 2026-2027 HEAP season opens and apply in the first week (myBenefits.ny.gov). Bring the utility bill and any notice.

  1. Ask the county when the 2026-2027 regular season opens and apply in the first week.
  2. Register with the utility for the Energy Affordability discount once HEAP is granted.
  3. Ask for the emergency benefit the day a shutoff notice arrives.

Official application / program page ↗

Where it starts: Apply at myBenefits.ny.gov or the local DSS when the season opens; emergency benefits by phone or in person.

What to gather

  • Utility or fuel bill
  • Any shutoff notice
  • This month's income for the household
  • Identity and address

How long: Regular benefits are decided in the season; emergency benefits faster. Exact deadlines were not found.

What a yes looks like

A HEAP award notice and a payment to the vendor; then the utility's discount line on the bill.

What a no looks like, and the next move

"Over the guideline" or "season closed": ask about the Enhanced utility discount (under the median income) and the doctor's-certificate shutoff hold (HEFPA).

Watch out

  • The 2026–2027 income table is published. The district confirms opening and closing dates, benefit amounts and the emergency process; past-season dates and awards do not establish current assistance.
  • Register for the utility discount. The Energy Affordability Program follows a HEAP award at every large electric and gas utility. An Enhanced version (from January 13, 2026) covers households under the median income; you sign up for that yourself.
  • A shutoff notice: ask for the emergency benefit and the doctor's-certificate hold (HEFPA) the same day.

Dates that change this

2026-06-05: The 2025-2026 regular benefit closed April 10, 2026, emergency April 24 and cooling June 5, 2026.

2026-11-01: The 2026–2027 income table is published. The district confirms opening and closing dates, benefit amounts and the emergency process; past-season dates and awards do not establish current assistance. (not yet confirmed against the final rule)

2026-01-13: Enhanced Energy Affordability Program opened January 13, 2026 for customers below the median income who do not qualify for traditional EAP.

The numbers and the rules

The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 9, 2026.

What it is worth

HEAP provides regular, emergency and cooling help in separate seasons. Published 2026–2027 monthly ceilings are $3,563 for one person and $6,852 for four. The district confirms season dates and benefits. A HEAP award can qualify an account for EAP, but matching or separate enrollment is still needed. Other benefits and Enhanced EAP can also qualify an account.

  • $3,473/month — HEAP monthly income guideline, 1 person (2025-2026)
  • $6,680/month — HEAP monthly income guideline, 4 people (2025-2026)

Covers: Regular heating benefit paid to the vendor · Emergency benefit for a shutoff or empty tank · Cooling benefit (air conditioner) · Energy Affordability Program discount on the utility bill for HEAP households

What it costs the family: None.

The eligibility facts, as published

Income 2025 2026
$3,473 / $4,542 / $5,611 / $6,680 / $7,749 / $8,818 a month for one to six
Seasons 2025 2026
regular opened 2025-12-01 and closed 2026-04-10; emergency closed 2026-04-24; cooling closed 2026-06-05
Seasons 2026 2027
NOT FOUND (opening dates and income table)
Eap
all large electric and gas utilities give the EAP discount to households that receive a HEAP benefit; Enhanced EAP (from 2026-01-13) for customers below the state median income (area median for Con Edison, National Grid Metro and National Grid Long Island), by self-registration

Decisions this site cannot make: District HEAP eligibility

Expect friction on: Seasonal windows · Funds run out

The trap: The 2026–2027 income table is published. The district confirms opening and closing dates, benefit amounts and the emergency process; past-season dates and awards do not establish current assistance.

Where I read this

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