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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - ECDSS

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A federally funded program administered by New York State to assist low income families with their energy needs. Multiple components are available to residents while funding is available.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) components include Regular and Emergency benefit assistance towards heating and electricity costs, furnace repair, replacement, clean and tune, and cooling assistance. All approved benefits result in a credit on the heating or electric bill, or a delivery of fuel, equaling the benefit amount. Programs run annually until funding is exhausted.

The Regular HEAP Benefit closed April 7th, 2025.

The Emergency HEAP Benefits closed April 7th, 2025.

The Heating Equipment Repair & Replacement (HERR) Benefit opened October 1st, 2024.

The Clean & Tune Benefit opened October 1st, 2024. Applicants must meet all HEAP eligibility criteria in order to be eligible for the Heating Equipment Clean and Tune benefit.

The Cooling Assistance Benefit opened April 15th, 2025. Applicants must meet all HEAP eligibility criteria and a household member must have a medical need in order to be eligible for the Cooling benefit. All applicants are required to provide medical documentation that their medical condition is exacerbated by extreme heat, unless there is a vulnerable member in their household. This is defined as being over the age of 60 or under the age of 6.

For complete details, visit New York State's HEAP web page: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/

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Eligibility

Utility Assistance (Regular & Emergency Benefits): Low income individuals and families in Erie County.

Emergency HEAP Benefits are based on income, available resources, and type of emergency. You may be eligible if:
- Your electricity is necessary for your heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off, OR
- Your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut off, OR
- You are out of fuel, or you have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane, or have less than a ten day supply of wood, wood pellets, cord or other deliverable heat source 
AND
- Your income is at or below current income guidelines, the heating and/or electric bill is in your name, and your household's resources are less than $2000, or less than $3000 if any member of the household is age 60 or older.

HERR: Erie County Homeowners who have been residing on the property for the 12 months prior to application and whose furnace was operable within 12 months prior to the HERR application.  
 
Clean & Tune Program: HEAP eligible Erie County residents of all ages who have primary heating equipment that's more than 12 months old, has not been cleaned within the last 12 months and does not have a service contract with their vendor that includes clean and tune services.

Air Conditioners: Must meet income and medical need requirements.
- Income: Households must have received a HEAP benefit or have income which does not exceed the maximum HEAP guidelines.
- Medical need: At least one member of the household must have a medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat and the condition must be documented in writing by a physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner. Documentation must have been issued within the previous 12 months and clearly state the health condition; documentation older than 12 months may be used if it provides sufficient information to indicate that the medical condition is considered chronic. Households that received HEAP cooling assistance within the last 10 years or households with a working AC unit less than five years old are not eligible.

Service Area: Erie County.

Intake Process

Utility Assistance:

If heat or electricity service is off, or household is out of heating fuel, a household member or authorized representative (with a signed and dated note) must report to HEAP at 460 Main Street, Buffalo, for assistance.

If service is on, but household has a shut-off notice or low supply (less than a quarter tank) of heating fuel, call the HEAP Hotline at 858-7644. A HEAP hotline representative will examine the situation and direct the application process accordingly. Client may or may not need to report.

If service is on with no shut off notice and no low fuel supply, proceed according to ANY of the following options (only one needed):
- Call the HEAP Application Request Line at 858-1969
- Visit the HEAP Web Page Application Request Portal
- Print a HEAP application from the HEAP website to mail in
- Visit MyBenefits.ny.gov to apply online
- Request an application by email at heaphotline@erie.gov

Households that receive TA or SNAP will have an application for the HEAP Regular Benefit submitted to their heating supplier in December or January. 
  
Weatherization Program:
- Persons 60 and under can call the Weatherization Referral Program line.
- Seniors 61 and older who need additional assistance can apply through Senior Services.

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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - ECDSS

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NY Connects (Application Assistance for Older & Disabled Individuals)

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