Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Regular HEAP Benefit

The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP component will open November 1,2023.

Eligibility and benefits are based on:

  • income,
  • household size,
  • the primary heating source, and
  • the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled.

Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household's primary source of heat.

Your household may be eligible for a Regular benefit if:

  • You and your household members are United States Citizens or qualified aliens and
  • Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or
  • You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
  • You receive Temporary Assistance or
  • You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)

Regular HEAP Benefit Amounts  2023-2024 (Base Benefit Amount /Living Situation)

$21Eligible households that live in government subsidized housing or a group home setting with heat included in their rent.
$45 or $50Eligible households who have heating costs included as part of their rent.
$900 + applicable add-onsEligible households whose primary heat is oil, kerosene, or propane and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs.
$635 + applicable add-onsEligible households whose primary heat is wood, wood pellets, coal, corn or other deliverable fuel and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs.
$400 + applicable add-onsEligible households whose primary heat is electricity or natural gas and who make direct payments based on their household’s actual usage to the vendor.

The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP component will open November 1, 2023

The Emergency HEAP component is scheduled to open January 2, 2024. Both components are scheduled to close March 15, 2024 or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.



The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes.

If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.

HEAP may be able to help you if you heat your home with:

  • Electricity
  • Natural Gas
  • Oil
  • Coal
  • Propane
  • Wood/Wood Pellets
  • Kerosene
  • Corn

Contact Us

  1. HEAP- Open SNAP/ Temporary Assistance cases

    Physical Address
    160 Genesee St.
    Auburn, NY 13021

    Phone: (315)253-1575

  2. HEAP- No SNAP or Temporary Assistance

    Physical Address
    Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca
    89 York St.
    Auburn, NY 13021

    Phone: (315)255-1703 Ext.105

    Directory

Regular Benefit Add-Ons for Households Paying Directly for Heat

The amount of the base Regular benefit will be increased by $41 if the household’s gross income is in the Tier 1 income range.

Tier I eligibility is based on gross income and household size, on the date of application the household's gross income must be at or below 130% of federal poverty level for the household size; or at least one adult household member must be in receipt of ongoing assistance through Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or code A SSI.

The amount of the base Regular benefit will be increased by $35 if the household contains a vulnerable individual (household member who is age 60 or older, under age 6 or permanently disabled).

2023-2024  HEAP GROSS MONTHLY INCOME ELIGIBITY GUIDELINES

 

 

Household Size           Tier I               Tier II

 

1                                   0 - 1,579          1,580 - 3,035

2                                   0 - 2,136           2,137 - 3,970

3                                   0 - 2,693           2,694 - 4,904

4                                   0 - 3,250           3,251 - 5,838 

5                                   0 - 3,806           3,807 - 6,772

6                                    0 - 4,363          4,364 - 7,706

7                                    0 - 4,920          4,921 - 7,881

8                                     0 - 5,477          5,478 - 8,056

9                                     0 - 6,034          6,035 - 8,231


Regular HEAP-The Regular benefit application must be signed by the individual who:

-has the heating bill in their name; or

-has primary responsibility to pay the bill to the vendor; or

-is the primary tenant if heat is included in the rent.

-there is no resource test

Emergency HEAP-Must meet program criteria. This component opens 1/2/24 & requires a resource test.


Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.



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Heating Equipment Clean and Tune Program

This component will continue to operate on a year-round basis for the 2023-2024 program year. This HEAP benefit is designed to clean & tune an eligible household’s primary heating equipment. Applicants must be homeowners & meet the HEAP program guidelines for this component. Please contact the Cayuga County HEAP Unit @ 253-1385 for screening at program opening.


Furnace Repair/ Replacement Program

 The Heating Equipment Repair & Replacement Program component of HEAP continues to operate on a year-round basis for the 2023-2024 program year. Applicants must be homeowners that express a need & meet further program requirements. Please contact the Cayuga County HEAP Unit @ 253-1385 for screening.


Cooling Assistance 

The cooling assistance program closed July 14, 2023.

The scheduled opening for the 2023-2024 season is April 15, 2024- August 30, 2024, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Any individual who expresses a need for an air conditioner or fan due to a medical condition that is worsened by extreme heat may call (315)255-4904 once the program opens to be prescreened for the program.