Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - is a federally funded energy assistance program. Higher benefits are provided to a household that spends a larger percentage of its income on energy costs, contains a vulnerable individual, and have the lowest income. Vulnerable individuals are defined as children under the age of 6, adults aged 60 or older, or disabled individuals who are in receipt of SSI or SSD.

Onondaga County Office Building, 7th Floor
600 S. State Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Monday-Friday)
Phone: (315) 435-8295

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded energy assistance program to help low-income families meet the high home energy costs. The HEAP program consists of two components, regular benefits and emergency benefits.
Regular benefits are income based (see chart below). There is no resource eligibility criteria. The benefit amounts range from $40 to $540 depending on tier (Tier I: TA, FS, SSI; Tier II: all others), age of household members, energy costs and shelter situation. It is a one-time only benefit during the program year.
Emergency Benefits are available for persons, who are eligible for HEAP and have an energy-related emergency such as a power shutoff or less than 10 days’ supply of heating fuel. The same income guidelines apply as regular HEAP. To be eligible for Emergency HEAP all liquid resources must first be used. For heating equipment replacement $3000 in liquid resources are exempt. Emergency benefit amounts range from $125 to $600 with a $6,000 maximum for heating equipment replacements. Emergency benefits are in addition to regular HEAP benefits.

Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the program is based on your income and your housing situation. You must also live in an eligible housing situation. This usually means that you must either pay directly for heating costs or must pay rent that includes heating costs. If you reside in subsidized housing, you must pay heating costs separately from your rent. You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien to apply.
HEAP money is limited. The HEAP year generally begins in October or November and closes when the program funding is exhausted, which can be as early as mid-March.
Households may receive regular benefits in one of the ways listed below.
Households receiving temporary assistance or food stamps, and meet the requirements for HEAP eligibility, are identified via our statewide computer system and are issued a payment through our computer system. You are not required to submit an application.
Payments to households that pay for heat separate from their rent are sent to the heating vendor. Payments to households that have their heat included in their rent are paid directly to the household
In order to be eligible for emergency benefits, the household must meet the above criteria and also must:

• Be in an energy emergency as described by New York State's HEAP Plan
• Be the customer and tenant of record
• Reside in the dwelling
• Have insufficient money to meet the emergency

2007– 2008 HEAP Guidelines
Total gross monthly household income must be at or below the following:

Where to Apply
Individuals under 60 apply on the 7th floor County Office Building between the hours of 8:00 - 4:30. If an individual cannot apply in person due to a handicap or because of his or her work schedule, a friend or relative may apply for them. The authorized representative must bring all necessary documents as well as a note from the individual they are applying for. If you received a benefit in the previous heating season and no emergency exists, you may apply online E-App: http://www.otda.state.ny.us/otda/heap/HEAPapp.htm) or call (315) 435-8295 to have an application mailed to you. Individuals 60 or over, disabled in receipt of SSI or in receipt of SSD, that do not have an emergency may contact the Office of Aging at (315) 435-2362 to apply by mail. All emergencies must apply in person. You must bring in your utility bill, proof of emergency, verification of tenant of record, proof of gross income for everyone in the household, ID for all household members and current resource documentation.

What to Expect
If you qualify your HEAP payment will be sent to your fuel/utility provider. It generally takes up to 3 months for the credit to appear on your bill.

After Hour Emergency
For after hour heating emergencies please call the Helpline at (315) 435-8300.