The Emergency HEAP benefit component, which opened for the 2025-26 season on January 2, 2026, will operate through the close of business (COB), Friday, April 24, 2026. Mail-in applications postmarked on or before the closing date meet the deadline and must be processed.
These benefits are available to assist eligible households with a heating emergency or a heat-related domestic emergency. If Regular (heating) benefits are available for an eligible household, they must be utilized first to resolve heating emergencies.
One Emergency benefit is available per HEAP household for the 2025-26 program year. Temporary relocation for housing emergencies and propane tank deposits to obtain new propane vendors are also available under the Emergency Benefit component.
All applicants for the Emergency benefit may apply via telephone (Customer Service line, 716-858-7644) or in person, at 460 Main St., 2nd floor, Buffalo, NY. Applicants may also email their name and address to Heaphotline@erie.gov and a paper HEAP application will be sent to them via postal mail.
