Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

In 1981 the federal government consolidated a number of temporary energy assistance statutes into the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act (LIHEAA) to create the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). At first, federal funds were only available to cover the costs of heating for eligible households in cold-weather states. In 1984, Congress changed it to include all energy needs of eligible households including cooling, as well as heating costs.

On the federal level, the overall responsibility for the administration of LIHEAP lies with the Administration for Children and Families, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In New York State the program is known as HEAP and is administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Local county departments of social services are primarily responsible for the implementation and management of the program.

In New York City HEAP is administered by the Human Resources Administration (HRA). Throughout the five boroughs, there are several HEAP Field Offices that conduct outreach, intake and certification of applications.

The NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) serves as an alternate certifier for regular HEAP benefits for the elderly and disabled populations. DFTA is responsible for providing outreach, intake and certification services for regular benefits.

The federal government annually appropriates “block grant” funds, the LIHEAP block grant, to the various states to assist eligible households to meet the costs of home energy. As with all block grant programs, these federal funds constitute the entire grant for the program, unless supplemented by state funds or other resources. Block grant programs are not entitlement programs and benefits are available to eligible and qualified applicants only for so long as funding remains available and/or the program remains open.

HEAP is designed to help households with limited income pay for energy costs. Eligible households receive a line of credit with a heating vendor or utility company or a cash benefit once a year. Eligibility is based on household size, residency, citizenship/immigration status, and income. Certain households are automatically eligible for the benefit. The benefit amount depends on whether the household pays for heat directly, the type of heat, or whether the heat is included in the rent or mortgage.

Certain households automatically receive a HEAP grant and do not need to submit an application. However, most households must apply for HEAP when it begins in November. There are different avenues of application depending on a household’s circumstances. Households must reapply each program year, if not automatically eligible.

Emergency assistance is available to HEAP eligible households that pay directly for heat. Emergency HEAP is also known as “E” HEAP. For more information, see below, Emergency HEAP.

The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement component of the HEAP program is available to help eligible low-income home owners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home’s primary heating source functional. For more information, see below, Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement.