[Last updated: 12/16/2025]
Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-800-342-3009
Website
Online Application
MyBenefits
LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
LIHEAP FY 2026 Funding
$360,885,396
*including additional $5,774,839 from Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), (Pub. L. 117-58)
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
60% State Median Income
150% Federal Poverty Level for household size 14 or more
LIHEAP FY 2026 Benefit
Heating: $21 minimum, $996 maximum
Cooling: $10 minimum, $1,000 maximum
Winter Crisis: $900 maximum
LIHEAP Households Served in FY 2024
Heating: 1,145,065
Cooling: 23,104
Winter Crisis: 101,748
Weatherization: 6,368
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: November 3 - April 7
Cooling: April 15 - June 22
Winter Crisis: January 2 - April 7
Weatherization: Year-round
State/Local
A Home Energy Allowance is provided to public assistance recipients from state and local funds; New York law exempts the collection of utility sales tax from certain public assistance recipients; also provided from state and local funds is payment of utility arrears for public assistance clients.
Utility
Low Income Rate Assistance
New York's eight investor-owned utilities, and one municipal power authority, have low-income energy programs totaling about $20 million per year. The programs vary considerably by utility service territory and have varying eligibility guidelines. Most offer rate assistance and one or more other services such as arrearage forgiveness, weatherization, appliance repair and replacement and aggregation.
Central Hudson Gas & Electric
EmPower+ Program
Provides no-cost energy efficiency solutions to income-eligible customers.
845-452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714.
Long Island Power Authority
Household Assistance Program
Customers may enroll in the Household Assistance Program in one of two ways. They may be automatically enrolled when LIPA is notified that the customer is a recipient of other programs listed here, or apply by filling out an application and providing proof of eligibility. Customers can also apply for an electric bill credit at any LIPA Customer Service Center. You can download an application here. Please be sure to have your proof of eligibility, with you at the time of application. Income guidelines are available on LIPA's website.
Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation
Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Two levels of assistance are available to eligible customers: EAP Basic Benefit, which offers a monthly bill credit, and EAP Limited Benefit, which offers arrears forgiveness. Assistance is available to electric and gas customers who have received a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grant. Once a HEAP grant is credited to a NYSEG account or a customer has a HEAP award letter, enrollment in EAP is automatic. Enrollment in the arrears forgiveness program is limited. Applications will be sent to qualified customers as openings become available.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Long Island Power Authority
Residential Energy Affordability Partnership (REAP)
Team members provide energy efficiency education and install energy-saving devices that may include: compact fluorescent light bulbs; refrigerators; water heater insulating jackets (for electric water heaters) and for customers with electric heat or central air conditioning: central air conditioning tune-ups and filter replacements; air and duct sealing and insulation; attic and wall insulation; programmable thermostats and energy-efficient water devices.
1-800-263-6786
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Central Hudson Gas & Electric
The Good Neighbor Fund
For those suffering from a financial crisis that makes it difficult to pay their energy bills, Central Hudson's Good Neighbor Fund provides a "last resort" grant toward Central Hudson bills for customers who have exhausted all other forms of assistance. It is funded by customer contributions and Central Hudson's stockholders and is administered by The Salvation Army.
845-452-2700 or 800-527-2714
Long Island Power Authority
Project Warmth
Applicant must show a heating and/or fuel-related electric bill in his or her name and address that is in termination, pending disconnect or severely overdue (for any fuel source) or be financially unable to secure heating oil/propane/kerosene etc. when the tank is empty or near empty. Applicant must live in Nassau County, Suffolk County or the Rockaway area in Queens (LIPA service area). Grants are available between December 1 until March 31 or until funds are depleted.
National Fuel Gas Company
Neighbor for Neighbor Heat
The fund provides grants that help people prevent disconnection of their utility service or pay current or past due energy bills or purchase home heating fuel of any kind. National Fuel customers can have a tax-deductible donation added to their monthly bill that NFG shareholders match dollar-for-dollar, up to $150,000.
To apply, contact The Salvation Army at 716-883-9800, extension 230, the Chautauqua Office For the Aging at 716-753-4471, or Catholic Charities at 716-856-4494 to find the nearest agency and determine the necessary documentation to bring to the application interview.
National Grid
Care & Share
Founded by National Grid in 1981 to help low-income families and individuals with elevated bills meet their monthly payments, HeartShare Human Services of New York now administers the fund. All applicants who fall within the HEAP income guidelines qualify for the fund.
New York State Electric and Gas
Project Share
Funded by the NYSEG Foundation, employees, retirees and customers. Helps eligible customers pay for energy emergencies such as fuel bills, repairs to heating equipment, home weatherization and water heater replacements. Grants are available to households where someone is over 60, or has a disability, or has a serious medical condition. To apply for a grant, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Orange County Fuel Fund
The Orange County Fuel Fund assists households that are struggling to pay their heating bills, but do not qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program. This fuel fund, available to households in Orange County, may help cover a portion of the cost for fuel oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood, pellets, or electricity. Individuals whose household income qualifies them for assistance from the Orange County Fuel Fund may be eligible for a one-time award of up to $1,000, which will be paid directly to the fuel provider. To find out if your household is eligible for assistance from the Orange County Fuel Fund or to complete an application online, visit www.ocfuelfund.org. Orange County residents can also download the application form online, print it out and mail to: United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive., Suite 102, Montgomery, NY 12549, Attention: Orange County Fuel Fund, or fax the completed from to 845-457-4702
Orange and Rockland Utilities
The Neighbor Fund
To qualify for assistance, applicants must have exhausted all governmental resources for financial assistance; provide supporting documentation of their emergency or crisis circumstances (e.g., medical bills, unemployment notification); and have never before received a Neighbor Fund grant.
Contact the Salvation Army offices:
- Spring Valley (845-352-9577)
- Middletown (845-343-0821)
- Port Jervis (845-856-3214)
Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation
Project Share
Designed to help income-eligible customers with disconnect notices after exhausting all other assistance programs.
844-579-5555
