Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation this week that will increase the accessibility of home heating aid and help identify more seniors who are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) — a federal program available to New Yorkers implemented to help low-income homeowners and renters afford costs associated with heating and cooling. Through this legislation, applicants and participants of the Elderly Pharmaceutical Coverage Program (EPIC) will be provided information and instructions for enrollment in HEAP.
“Programs like HEAP help put money back in the pockets of hard-working New Yorkers, helping heat their homes in the dead of winter,” Governor Hochul said. “From raising the minimum wage to our proposed inflation refund checks, we’re doing everything we can to tackle the affordability crisis head-on.”
Legislation S.8760A/A.9369A relates to the provision of HEAP information to EPIC program participants. The Department of Health (DOH), which oversees EPIC and its applications, will provide HEAP information and enrollment information with each EPIC application and also through an annual notice to EPIC participants.
Applications for the Regular HEAP benefit opened on Nov. 1, 2024. Details on eligibility and links to apply can be found here. Seniors who require assistance filling out their HEAP applications can contact their local office for the aging or the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871.
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