Hochul’s HEAP program aims to help New Yorkers stay warm this winter with aid of up to $1,086

Winter costs are on the way.

As temperatures drop and heaters are switched on, New Yorkers may face steeper energy bills. Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, is now accepting applications, offering relief to eligible households.

HEAP is a federally funded program that provides assistance to low- and middle-income families to help cover electricity, gas, oil, propane, wood, coal and other home energy expenses. Qualified residents may also receive help paying for repairs or replacing heating and cooling equipment.

Benefit amounts depend on several factors and range from $35 to as much as $1,086. With energy costs still climbing, lawmakers have raised some of the payments this year.

For households that heat with oil, kerosene or propane, the amount has increased by $90 to $990. Payments for homes that use wood, pellets or coal have gone up by $65 to $700.

“No New Yorker should have to choose between heating their homes this winter and keeping food on the table,” Hochul said in a press release.

Not every household will receive the same amount, since the size of the benefit depends on income, household size, heating source and whether a vulnerable person lives in the home.

For instance, a family of four may qualify with a gross monthly income of up to $6,852, or an annual gross income of up to $82,230.

Households that do not automatically receive benefits can apply through the HEAP website and may receive one payment per season. New York City also offers an Emergency HEAP benefit for residents who are at risk of running out of heating fuel or losing utility service.

Applications for emergency benefits are set to open later.

According to the program, households may qualify for a regular HEAP benefit if they meet the following requirements:

• A member of the household is a United States citizen or qualified non-citizen
• The household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for its size as listed in the table below
• The household receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
• The household receives federally funded Temporary Assistance, also known as Public Assistance
• The household receives Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)

Eligible households are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, since benefits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out. Payments are made directly to vendors for the covered expenses.

The state’s Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program is also open and can cover necessary repairs or replacements of furnaces, boilers and other primary heating equipment.

Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost, up to $4,000 for repairs and $8,000 for replacements.

To apply, visit the HEAP website before funding runs out.