Get Help Paying Your Heating Bills with HEAP

Cold winters mean high heating bills. For some, the costs are getting harder to keep up with. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay their heating bills. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s energy company, and eligibility is usually based on income, household size, and the availability of resources.

Types of HEAP benefits

HEAP offers a variety of benefits, including:

• Regular HEAP benefits: These benefits help households pay their heating bills during the winter months.
• Emergency HEAP benefits: These benefits are available to households that are in danger of having their heating service shut off.
• Cooling assistance: In some states, HEAP also offers cooling assistance to help households pay their cooling bills during the summer months.
• Weatherization assistance: This assistance helps households make their homes more energy efficient, which can help lower their heating and cooling costs.

Who is eligible for Regular HEAP?

Eligibility for HEAP is based on a number of factors, including:

• Income: Households must meet certain income guidelines to be eligible for HEAP. Income guidelines vary from state to state.
  • New York:
    • Uses the gross monthly income guidelines. For the 2025-2026 HEAP season here’s the limits based on common household sizes:
      • 1 person: $3,473/ month
      • 2 people: $4,542/ month
      • 3 people: $5,611/ month
      • 4 people: $6,680/ month
  • New Jersey:
    • Uses the gross monthly income limits, which are aligned with the 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Universal Service Fund (USF) programs. For the 2025-2026 season, here’s what that means for some common household sizes:
      • 1 person: $4,167 / month
      • 2 people: $5,449 / month
      • 3 people: $6,732 / month
      • 4 people: $8,014/ month

*These income guidelines are subject to change each year.

• Household size: The number of people living in the household is also a factor in determining eligibility.
• Resources: Households must also meet certain resource guidelines to be eligible for HEAP. Resources include things like savings accounts, checking accounts, and stocks.
• Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien to be eligible for HEAP.

New York and New Jersey Application Dates

You can apply for HEAP through your local social services agency. Here are specific links and information for New York and New Jersey residents:  

• New York:
  • The 2025-2026 Regular HEAP season is scheduled to open on November 3, 2025.
    • Apply online: ACCESS HRA
    • Find a HEAP office: OTDA HEAP Office Locator
    • More information: OTDA HEAP website
• New Jersey:
  • The 2025-2026 LIHEAP/USF application period is October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
    • Apply online: DCAid (to see if you qualify for other assistance programs as well)
    • Find your local application agency: Use the NJ 2-1-1 website and search for “LIHEAP” or “Energy Assistance” to find the most current local agency contact.
    • More information: NJ Department of Community Affairs Energy Assistance

When you apply for HEAP, you will need to provide documentation such as:

• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns)
• Proof of household size (IDs, birth certificates)
• Proof of resources (bank statements)
• Proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate)
• Recent utility bills

How Much HEAP Assistance Can I Receive?

The amount of HEAP assistance you can receive will vary depending on your income, household size, and the availability of resources.

Housing Support for IAM Members

Worried about rent, eviction, or getting your heat turned off? Through their union legal plan, IAM members have access to free legal support for housing issues. We can help with landlord disputes, small claims court, understanding your lease, and applying for HEAP benefits to keep your home warm.

Tap below to get started today.