Home Energy Assistance

The low income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Westchester County Department of Social Services that assists eligible low-income, elderly and disabled residents with home heating costs. Help is available through the Energy Affordability Program.

The 2022-2023 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2022 and is open until March 31, 2023.

The income eligibility guidelines for the HEAP Program are adjusted annually, based on the higher of 60 percent of the State’s Median Income (SMI) for households sizes 1-12 and 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, for each household size 13 and above. 

Gross Monthly Income Guidelines for 2022 - 2023
HH size$ max.
1 2,852
2 3,730
3 4,608
4 5,485
5 6,363
6 7,241
7 7,405
8 7,570
9 7,734
10 7,899
11 8,064
12 8,228
13 8,778

For each additional household member above 13, add $511. 

Eligibility for Regular HEAP benefit
A household (HH) must pay for heat directly or make undesignated payments for heat in the form of rent. A household must also reside in a HEAP-eligible living situation.

Energy cost assistance is also available through Con Edison’s Energy Affordability Program and LIHEAP programs. For National Grid subscribers, e-mail National Grid to apply. Download the NYSEG subscriber Energy Assistance Program Application.

  • Applications for Regular HEAP may be submitted online at myBenefits.ny.gov.
  • Public Assistance and Food Stamp customers can apply for HEAP at their local social services district office. If you have questions, call (914) 995-3333. These households can mail their completed applications to the HEAP Unit, 112 East Post Rd. 5th Fl., White Plains, NY 10601.
  • Application can be downloaded at How to Apply | OTDA (ny.gov)
  • Individuals over the age of 60, permanently disabled or in receipt of SSI can apply for HEAP through the Westchester County Department of Social Services at (914) 995-3333. These households can also mail their completed applications to the HEAP Unit, 112 East Post Rd. 5th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601.

Criteria for Emergency HEAP benefit
The Emergency HEAP benefit can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat related emergency. The 2022-2023 Second Emergency benefit opened on February 27, 2023.

You may be eligible for Emergency HEAP if:

  • Your electricity is necessary for your heating system to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off - or
  • Your natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off  - or
  • You are out of, or in danger of, running out of fuel (oil, propane, wood, or coal) - or
  • Your essential applicant-owned heating equipment is inoperable

 

Weatherization Assistance Program
The New York State Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-eligible homeowners and renters reduce heating and cooling costs through energy-conservation measures, while also addressing health and safety issues in their homes.

Eligibility is based on household income relative to federal low-income guidelines. If a household contains a member who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Public Assistance, or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefits, the household may be considered automatically eligible for weatherization services.

Services may include sealing of cracks and holes to reduce heat loss; insulation of attics and walls; heating system repairs or replacement; providing efficient lighting and refrigeration; window and/or outside door repair or replacement; minor repairs which are needed to ensure maximum efficiency of
the weatherization services performed; and mitigation of energy-related health and safety issues.

More information is avaible in this brochure. 

 

EmPower New York Program
EmPower New York provides no-cost energy efficiency solutions to income-eligible New Yorkers.

Whether you own your home or rent, EmPower New York can connect you with a participating contractor to assess if your home would benefit from free energy upgrades such as:

  • Home energy assessment to identify areas of possible energy improvements
  • Tips on how to save energy
  • Installation of high-efficiency lighting
  • Attic and wall insulation
  • Installation of clean heating and cooling heat pumps
  • Replacement of old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers
  • Water-saving showerheads
  • A monthly electric bill credit of between $5-$15 from community solar.

To find out if you are eligible and to get application and other information, visit the EmPower New York Program website.