New York Will Put Almost $1,000 On Your Heating Bill

There's help available for New Yorkers suffering from high heating costs. With winter nowhere near over, families are already feeling the pinch in their budgets. The economy is terrible overall, and it doesn't help that energy companies in New York are jacking up prices. For qualifying New Yorkers, there is a lifeline.

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Some New Yorkers Can Get Almost $1000 In Heating Assistance

The Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as HEAP, finally opened for the 2025-2026 winter season. The opening was delayed a month. Low- and middle-income residents and seniors can apply to receive up to $996 in aid. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance distributes the assistance payments. New Yorkers who need help can receive one regular benefit per season. Last year, the program assisted 1.5 million New York households with regular HEAP benefits. Emergency benefit applications started accepting on January 2, 2026.

Applications for Emergency benefits, up to $996, will be closing soon. The deadline is coming up on April 7, 2026, according to Secret NYC. While that is over a month away, the benefit is first-come, first-served. When the funds run out, assistance may not be available. You can find more information here.

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Governor Hochul Encourages New Yorkers To Apply For EAP

Governor Hochul is encouraging New York families to also enroll in New York State’s Energy Affordability Program, also known as EAP. The program provides up to $500 in discounts on energy bills each year. One million New York households are already enrolled in the program, but another 1.5 million households are eligible to receive a discount but need to apply. For more information on eligibility and enrollment, please visit ny.gov/EAP.

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