More than 47,000 Mohawk Valley households received heating benefits last season. Eligible residents can apply online, by mail or through Oneida County offices beginning Nov. 2.
By Michelle LaGuerre | Utica Phoenix
New York HEAP 2026 applications will open Monday, Nov. 2, giving eligible households a way to reduce winter heating costs as colder weather approaches. The state expects more than 1.5 million households to receive help through the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program during the 2026-27 season.
The program matters across the Mohawk Valley, where 47,952 households received a regular HEAP benefit last season, according to figures released by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. It can help people who heat with electricity, natural gas, oil, kerosene, propane, coal, wood or wood pellets.
HEAP is a supplement, not a promise to cover every heating bill. Funding is limited and benefits are generally issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents who may qualify should gather their documents now and apply as soon as the program opens.
What New York HEAP 2026 offers
Most eligible households can receive one regular HEAP benefit during the season. The payment is usually sent directly to the household’s fuel dealer or utility company. The amount depends on income, household size, heating source and whether a vulnerable person lives in the home.
New York increased the maximum regular benefit for households that use delivered fuels. The maximum for oil, kerosene and propane rises by $90 to $990. The maximum for wood, wood pellets and coal rises by $65 to $700.
A household may receive an additional $61 if its income is at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level and it pays its heating costs directly. Another $35 may be added when the household includes a person age 60 or older, a child younger than 6, or someone who is permanently disabled.
Many households that already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, public assistance or certain other benefits may have HEAP processed automatically. The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said it is preparing automatic payments for about 1.1 million households, including many older adults. People who are unsure whether a benefit was issued should check with their local HEAP office rather than file repeated applications.
Who may qualify
Eligibility is based on household income, size, primary heating source and other factors. For the 2026-27 season, a family of four may qualify with gross monthly income of up to $6,852, or $82,224 over 12 months. The official state announcement rounds that annual figure to $82,230.
The current monthly income limits are:
- One person: $3,563
- Two people: $4,659
- Three people: $5,756
- Four people: $6,852
- Five people: $7,948
- Six people: $9,045
- Seven people: $9,250
- Eight people: $9,456
Limits continue to rise for larger households. The state HEAP page lists the complete table and explains other eligibility rules. Receiving SNAP, Temporary Assistance or Code A Supplemental Security Income may also qualify a household, but residents should confirm their individual case with a local worker.
How to apply in Oneida County
Residents outside New York City can apply online through MyBenefits.NY.gov beginning Nov. 2. Applications can also be submitted in person or by mail through a local social services office.
Oneida County HEAP contacts
- Utica Department of Social Services: 800 Park Ave., Utica; HEAP office phone 315-798-5559; fax 315-798-6474.
- Rome Department of Social Services: 100 W. Dominick St., Rome; HEAP office phone 315-356-2840; fax 315-356-2928.
- Oneida County Office for Aging: 315-798-5456. Staff can help older residents who have difficulty completing benefit applications.
- Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency in Utica: 315-733-4873.
- Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency in Rome: 315-339-2649.
The Oneida County HEAP page provides local instructions and forms. The county says some applicants may complete an eligibility interview by telephone. Home visits may be available through outreach programs for residents with disabilities who cannot travel to an office.
Documents to gather before applying
Having the right records ready can prevent delays. The state and county say an applicant may need:
- Proof of identity for each household member, such as a birth certificate, driver’s license or other accepted document.
- Social Security numbers for household members.
- Proof of current income for everyone in the household.
- A recent heating bill, fuel-delivery statement or utility bill showing the account and vendor.
- Proof of address and housing costs, such as a rent receipt, lease, mortgage statement or property-tax bill.
- Disability documentation when a household is seeking an allowance tied to a permanent disability.
The local district has up to 30 business days after receiving an application to determine eligibility. It may request more information, so applicants should watch their mail, email and phone messages and respond promptly.
Emergency HEAP opens Jan. 4
Emergency HEAP is scheduled to open Jan. 4, 2027. It is intended for eligible households facing a heating emergency, such as a shutoff notice, a utility disconnection, an empty fuel tank, less than one-quarter tank of oil, kerosene or propane, or less than a 10-day supply of wood or pellets.
Anyone in immediate danger of losing heat should contact the local HEAP office instead of relying only on an online application. The statewide HEAP information line is 1-800-342-3009. NY Connects, which helps older adults and people with disabilities find local services, can be reached at 1-800-342-9871.
Eligible homeowners may also qualify for heating-equipment cleaning and tuning, repair or replacement. Those services have separate rules and should be discussed with the local district before work is scheduled.
Why the assistance matters in the Mohawk Valley
Home heating is a basic safety need in Central New York, and delivered-fuel customers can face large bills at once when a tank must be filled. The Hochul administration says heating-oil prices are about 67 percent higher than a year ago and kerosene prices are about 50 percent higher. The administration attributes the increases to instability tied to the Trump administration’s war in Iran and other federal policies. Those causes are the state’s characterization; residents should compare current prices from local suppliers when making household plans.
HEAP works alongside, rather than replaces, other forms of relief. New York’s Energy Affordability Program may reduce monthly utility bills for some income-eligible customers, while the state’s one-time POWER rebates are being mailed automatically to eligible households. Utica Phoenix has guides to the Energy Affordability Program and the New York POWER checks.
Residents should treat unexpected calls, texts or social-media messages about HEAP with caution. There is no fee to apply. Do not send money, gift cards or banking passwords to someone promising to move an application ahead. Use MyBenefits, the state website or the listed county phone numbers to confirm any request for information.
What to do before Nov. 2
- Check the current household income limit on the official state HEAP page.
- Collect identification, income records, housing-cost documents and the latest heating bill.
- Confirm the name and account number used by the household’s utility or fuel vendor.
- Decide whether to apply online, by mail or with help from a local office.
- Keep copies of the application and all supporting records.
Watch the official announcement on YouTube.
For the full state announcement, read the Governor’s Office release. Share this guide with neighbors, older relatives and anyone who may need help keeping the heat on this winter.
