The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in New York opened for regular benefits Monday, Nov. 2. St. Lawrence County residents can call (315) 379-2303 to receive an application.  

The emergency component of HEAP is scheduled to open on January 4, 2027. HEAP customers who need electricity to run their furnaces and receive a disconnect notice will not be able to apply for the emergency benefit until January 4th.  

The State has tentatively scheduled a HEAP closing date of April 16, 2027 for regular and emergency benefits.  

The income guidelines for the 2026-2027 heating assistance program are as follows:

    Household Size with Maximum Monthly Income  

Household size (1) with maximum monthly income $3,563, (2) $4,659, (3) $5,756, (4) $6,852, (5) $7,948, (6) $9,045, (7) $9,250, (8) $9,456, (9) $9,662, (10) $9,867, and (11) $10,073.

Households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and/or Temporary Assistance do not ordinarily need to complete a HEAP application.  HEAP regular benefits will be prepared for Temporary Assistance Households November 14, 2026. HEAP regular benefits will be prepared for SNAP Households November 21, 2026. Any questions about HEAP can be directed to the HEAP Unit at the number above.  

In addition to HEAP applications being available at the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services in Canton, applications are available at all St. Lawrence County Offices for the Aging, all 6 Neighborhood Centers operated by St. Lawrence County C.D.P. and the myBenefits.ny.gov website. All applications are processed in the order received.                                     

The HEAP regular benefit for oil, kerosene, and propane this year is calculated to be between $990 and $1,086. The regular HEAP benefit for St. Lawrence Gas, Massena Electric, and National Grid is calculated to be between $400 and $496. This year’s regular HEAP benefit for wood, pellets, and coal is to be between $700 and $796. Applicants who cut their own wood and need a HEAP benefit must either choose a wood vendor or have the HEAP benefit applied to their utility bill.  

The emergency HEAP benefit for oil, kerosene, and propane is calculated to be 990(700 for wood, $400 for natural gas, and $585 for electric heat). The emergency benefit for heat related electricity necessary to operate a furnace is calculated to be $185. Emergency benefits will be based on income, household size, and available resources.