New Yorkers can finally apply for this year's Home Energy Assistance Program , or HEAP, benefits as the application window opened on Dec. 1 − a month later than in years past.

If you heat your home with electricity, natural gas, oil, coal, propane, wood or wood pellets, kerosene or corn, HEAP can help you heat and cool your home by providing up to $996 in benefits.

Emergency HEAP can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat-related emergency. The benefits are based on your income, available resources and the type of emergency. Applications for this program open Jan. 2, 2026.

Here's what to know.

Why was the HEAP application window opening delayed this year?

Since the program is federally funded, the historic 43-day federal government shutdown that ended last month post

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