The Emergency HEAP benefit component for the 2025-26 season is scheduled to open on Friday, January 2, 2026 for those eligible. 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.
