Financial Assistance
The $900 heating assistance check is back in NY, find out how to apply for it
The New York City government is offering financial assistance to pay for heating this winter season. Here’s how to apply for up to almost $1,000 in aid.
Each year, the New York City government offers financial aid to residents to pay for heating, through the Home Energy Assistance Program or HEAP.
This program, running through March, helps low-income households cover the cost of heating their homes. The benefit can pay for fuel, utility bills, as well as heating equipment replacement and repairs.
The amount of assistance can be as high as almost $1,000, but the benefit is paid directly to the heating provider or utility company.
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Benefits of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP offers a regular benefit, an emergency benefit, a heating equipment repair and replacement benefit, as well as a cleaning and tune-up benefit.
The regular benefit
Applications for the 2024-2025 HEAP regular benefit will be available through March or when the resources allocated for this benefit are exhausted. The regular benefit is a one-time amount that can help you pay for your home heating.
Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, primary source of heating, and whether there is a person in the household who is under age six, aged 60 or older, or is permanently disabled.
Emergency benefits
Applications for emergency benefits opened on Jan. 2, 2025 and will be available through March or once the budget is exhausted. The emergency benefit can help you heat your home if you are in a heat-related emergency. HEAP emergency benefits and eligibility are based on income, available resources, and type of emergency.
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Benefit
You can apply for this benefit by phone or in person at a local HRA Benefits Center.
This assistance is used for the repair or replacement of furnaces, boilers, and/or other essential heating equipment necessary to keep a home’s primary heating source operating.
READ ALSO: How to receive $5,108/month from Social Security
Cleaning and tuning benefit
This benefit can help homeowners receive energy efficiency services, which include cleaning of primary heating equipment, and may also include chimney sweeping, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors, to allow for safe operation of the equipment.
Where can I apply for help paying for heating?
To apply for any of these benefits and to check the exact eligibility requirements, we recommend that you contact your local HEAP office. You can view the county-by-county directory here.
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