Updated HEAP Guidelines
Program/s: EmPower+
To: Residential Contractors
Summary: Updated HEAP Guidelines
Contact with Questions: NYS OTDA Hotline: 1 (800) 342-3009
2026- 2027 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The New York State Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that assists eligible low-income households in meeting their home energy needs.
Component Program Dates
| Component | Opening Date | Closing Date* |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | November 2, 2026 | April 16, 2027 |
| Emergency | January 4, 2027 | April 16, 2027 |
| Cooling | April 15, 2027 | June 4, 2027 |
| Clean & Tune | October 1, 2026 | April 16, 2027 |
| HERR | October 1, 2026 | April 16, 2027 |
*All closing dates may be shortened or extended depending on demand and available funding.
Income Guidelines
| household size | tier 1 | tier 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0-1,729 | 1,730-3,563 |
| 2 | 0-2,344 | 2,345-4,659 |
| 3 | 0-2,959 | 2,960-5,756 |
| 4 | 0-3,575 | 3,576-6,852 |
| 5 | 0-4,190 | 4,191-7,948 |
| 6 | 0-4,805 | 4,806-9,045 |
| 7 | 0-5,421 | 5,422-9,250 |
| 8 | 0-6,036 | 6,037-9,456 |
| 9 | 0-6,651 | 6,652-9,662 |
| 10 | 0-7,267 | 7,268-9,867 |
| 11 | 0-7,882 | 7,883-10,073 |
| 12 | 0-8,497 | 8,498-10,278 |
| 13 | 0-9,113 | 9,114-10,515 |
| 14+ | +615 | +710 |
**Amount increased per additional household member.
Benefit Amounts
| Regular Component Base heater*** | emergency Component |
|---|---|
| Oil, Kerosene & Propane $990 | Oil, Kerosene & Propane $990 |
| Wood, Pellets, Coal & Corn $700 | Wood, Pellets, Coal & Corn $700 |
| Natural Gas or Electric Heat $400 | Heat Related Domestic $185 |
| Combined Natural Gas & Electric $585 | |
| Electric Heat $585 | |
| Natural Gas $400 |
- Households whose income falls within Tier I will receive a $61 add-on to the base Regular benefit.
- Households with a vulnerable member (under age 6, age 60 or older, or permanently disabled) will receive a $35 add-on.
- Households may receive both add-ons, if eligible, for a total increase of $96 to the base Regular benefit.
- HERR will no longer be limited to applicants age 60 and older
- Clean and Tune will operate as normal for the 2026-2027 program year
Heat Included Benefits
Tier I – $50
Tier II – $45
Heat & Eat – $21
General Information Regarding HEAP
NYS OTDA Hotline: 1 (800) 342-3009
Program Information: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap
Online Application for upstate: www.mybenefits.ny.gov
NYC online application: ACCESS HRA – ACCESS HRA (nyc.gov)