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Regular Benefits

HEAP Cooling Assistance will be available to income-eligible residents beginning Tuesday, April 15, 2025.  

If your SNAP or Temporary Assistance case was active in September 2024, you may be automatically eligible, and your HEAP benefit will be generated without the need for a new application.

For questions regarding your HEAP status, please contact the customer service line at 716-858-7644, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

2024-2025 HEAP Eligibility Guidelines

Gross Monthly Income

Household Size Maximum Gross Monthly Income
1 $3,322
2 $4,345
3 $5,367
4 $6,390
5 $7,412
6 $8,434
7 $8,626
8 $8,818
9 $9,010
10 $9,201
11 $9,393
12 $9,585
13 $9,952
Each additional Add $672

HEAP funding is limited.  HEAP applications are available in large print, if needed, and the HEAP application is also available in several different languages. Requests for large print HEAP applications and HEAP applications in a different languages may be made at heaphotline@erie.gov.  An application will be mailed to you. 

Generally, residents may apply online, by mail, by fax, or in person.  To apply online for HEAP, visit www.mybenefits.ny.gov.  Any supporting documentation may be submitted via NYDocSubmit, a free app that now available for download on Google play or Apple App Store. 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. 

Completed HEAP applications with supporting documentation may be mailed to: ECDSS, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, Attention:  HEAP.  Applicants may also fax completed applications with supporting documentation to (716) 858-6765.  HEAP applications may be dropped off at 460 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm.  

Applicants do not need a disconnect notice to be eligible for a regular HEAP benefit.  Regular HEAP benefit amounts begin at $21. 

Anticipated Regular HEAP Benefit Amounts, 2024-2025

Base Benefit Amount Living Situation
$21 Eligible households that live in government subsidized housing or a group setting with heat included in their rent.
$45 or $50 Eligible households that have heating costs included as part of their rent.
$900 + Applicable Add-ons Eligible households whose primary heat is oil, kerosene, or propane and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs. 

$635 + Applicable Add-ons

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$400 + Applicable Add-ons

Eligible households whose primary heat is wood, wood pellets, coal, corn or other deliverable fuel who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs.

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Eligible households primary heat is electricity or natural gas and who make direct payments based on their household's actual usage to the vendor. 

If you would like us to come to an outreach event or be present virtually, please contact our outreach staff at heapoutreach@erie.gov.  We will be happy to accommodate your request.

Our HEAP phone center is available to assist the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm at (716)858-7644.  Outside of regular business hours, the community may call Connect 211 for assistance at 1-888-696-9211.

Download a HEAP application for 2024-25

General application information related to Erie County HEAP

Rlated HEAP information through the New York State OTDA.

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