The Regular HEAP (Heating) benefit is closing April 12, 2024 at the close of business this day. Emergency Benefits will remain available to the community until exhausted, or August 30, 2024.
The HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit (CAC) will additionally open for the season on April 15, 2024. The program is scheduled to close on August 30, 2024 or when funding for the program is exhausted. A documented medical condition is required for the 2023-24 Cooling Program. All applicants are required to provide medical documentation that their medical condition is exacerbated by extreme heat, unless there is a vulnerable member in the household (someone over the age of 60 or under the age of 6). Documentation of age may be requested.
Earlier access to the HEAP regular benefit program may mean better safety planning for families who are experiencing economic hardship and potentially more opportunity for any emergency benefits that may become available throughout the HEAP program year, if there is a need. HEAP will continue to be a vital source of support for many residents of Erie County as we recover from the pandemic together. It is our mission to make the HEAP program easy to access to all eligible community residents. We are here to help.
Income eligibility guidelines are listed in the table below:
2023-2024 HEAP Eligibility Guidelines
Gross Monthly Income
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,035 |
| 2 | $3,970 |
| 3 | $4,904 |
| 4 | $5,838 |
| 5 | $6,772 |
| 6 | $7,706 |
| 7 | $7,881 |
| 8 | $8,056 |
| 9 | $8,231 |
| 10 | $8,407 |
| 11 | $8,582 |
| 12 | $8,890 |
| 13 | $9,532 |
| Each additional | Add $642 |
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, 2023-2024
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 ----------------------------------- $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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Click Here to download a HEAP application for 2023-24.
Click Here for general application information related to Erie County HEAP.
Click Here for related HEAP information through the New York State OTDA.