What Are the Income Limits for HEAP in NY? Tiers and Exemptions

For the 2025–2026 season, the HEAP income limits in NY start at $3,473 in gross monthly income for a household of one and climb with household size to $10,020 for a household of twelve, with $687 added for each additional person beyond thirteen. Anyone at or below these figures qualifies for at least the standard Home Energy Assistance Program benefit. The limits are set at 60 percent of the New York State median income, the maximum allowed under federal law.¹

2025–2026 HEAP Income Limits by Household Size

Eligibility is based on your household’s gross monthly income over the 30 days before you apply. The maximum gross monthly income for the current season is:

1 person: $3,473
2 people: $4,542
3 people: $5,611
4 people: $6,680
5 people: $7,749
6 people: $8,818
7 people: $9,018
8 people: $9,218
9 people: $9,419
10 people: $9,619
11 people: $9,820
12 people: $10,020
13 people: $10,221
Each additional person beyond 13: add $687

If your household lands at or below the figure for its size, you qualify on income.²

How the Numbers Are Set and Measured

New York pegs its HEAP ceiling to 60 percent of the state median income. For a four-person household in the 2026 federal fiscal year, that works out to $80,165 per year, or roughly $6,680 per month.³ Because the median income figure is recalculated annually, the dollar limits change every HEAP season.

Income means gross income: total household earnings before taxes or deductions during the prior 30 days. That includes wages, Social Security, pensions, child support, and most other regular income. Since the window is only 30 days, a temporary drop in earnings can bring a household under the limit even when annual income would not.

Tier I vs. Tier II: Two Levels Within the Same Table

The figures above are the Tier II ceiling. Households at or below roughly 130 percent of the federal poverty level fall into Tier I and receive a larger benefit. Everyone at or under the numbers above receives at least the Tier II benefit; those with lower incomes automatically move into Tier I.²

When Income Limits Don’t Apply

If anyone in your household currently receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance, or Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the whole household is categorically eligible for HEAP. In that case, the income table above is irrelevant. You’re placed in Tier I automatically and receive the higher benefit.² SNAP recipients in particular sometimes don’t realize a HEAP payment stacks on top of what they already get, without any additional income check.

What Income Alone Doesn’t Decide

Meeting the income limit is the main test, but a few other conditions apply. Every household member must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen, and each must have a valid Social Security number. At least one person must be a New York State resident who is responsible for paying heating costs, whether directly to a utility or as part of rent.²

Households that include a child under six, someone aged 60 or older, or a permanently disabled member qualify for a “vulnerable individual” add-on that raises the benefit by $35.²

One point that trips people up: the regular HEAP benefit has no asset or resource limit. You can own a home, keep money in the bank, or hold stocks and bonds and still qualify on income alone. A resource cap of $2,500 (or $3,750 if a household member is 60 or older or under six) applies only to the Emergency HEAP component for households facing a shutoff, not to the regular heating benefit.²

How to Apply Once You Qualify

You can apply online through myBenefits.ny.gov, which serves the whole state. New York City residents can also use ACCESS NYC. Paper applications are available at local Department of Social Services offices or by mail.

Have these ready before you start:

Proof of income for each household member, such as recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, or tax returns
Proof of residency, such as a current rent receipt, lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement
Identification for each household member, such as a photo ID, birth certificate, or Social Security card
A current fuel or utility bill, or a statement from your landlord confirming heat is included in your rent

Applications can be submitted online, mailed to the HEAP processing center for your area, or delivered in person to your local Department of Social Services office. Your local district must send a written decision within 30 business days of receiving your application.²¹ If you need help, the OTDA hotline is 1-800-342-3009.⁴

1
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. 24-LCM-15 – 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
2
The State of New York. Apply for Heating Assistance (HEAP)
3
LIHEAP Clearinghouse. New York State Median Income for FFY 2026
4
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)