The struggle is all too familiar: human need versus budgetary limitations. The budgetary fight to mitigate heating and cooling issues during peak seasons for low-income individuals in New York City continues.
Can it be solved?
The four-day shutdown of New York State’s Heat and Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) affected low-income households that rely on the federally funded program to cover their energy expenses during the harsh summer months and the frigid winter season. The financial assistance program resumed Jan. 25, 2025, and the deadline to apply is Mar. 17, 2025.
Lonnie Portis, acting director of policy and legislative affairs at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, along with climate justice campaign coordinator Annie Carforo, discussed the challenges encountered by the community at large.
“HEAP funds ran out earlier than usual in January 2025, affecting the distribution of benefits and leaving many low-income residents in jeopardy,” Portis said. “If funds are available, applicants are generally approved if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, not everyone receives the same amount — the benefit varies depending on factors like household size, income, energy costs, and the type of fuel used for heating.”
WE ACT is a not-for-profit organization based in Harlem that is dedicated to addressing environmental justice issues throughout the northern Manhattan community, focusing on urban quality of life issues like climate justice, clean air, access to good jobs, public health, pollution, and sustainable and equitable land use.
Portis emphasized the organization’s advocacy for residents who applied for HEAP and
encouraged recipients to stretch the one-time assistance by employing energy-saving tactics through the winter months to avoid being in a financial bind come summer.
The HEAP program is made available to all qualified low-income households that meet income and residency requirements. This includes both renters and homeowners. Residents of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties are also eligible, assuming their rent doesn’t include utilities, they meet the income requirements, and they pay for heat directly.
“This year, more people applied for HEAP compared to last year,” Carforo told the Amsterdam News. “As of January 24, 2025, New York (State) had distributed regular HEAP benefits to about 1.5 million households, which is 52,000 more than at the same time in 2024. This increase in applicants reflects the growing demand for heating assistance, especially as many households struggle with higher energy costs.”
On Jan. 17, state officials notified New York City that HEAP was set to close two months early due to lack of funds. At the time of the temporary shutdown, the state had spent an additional $12 million on the distribution of HEAP funds — just 3% of the $360 million in federal HEAP funds New York had already received. How did such a minor budget shortfall create such a major disruption in the program’s trajectory? Speculation arose that the subsidized program ran out of funding completely.
Carforo explained that climate change is contributing to much hotter summers and much colder winters, which then raises the need for energy. Black, Brown, and low-income environmental justice communities are affected significantly by rising heating and cooling expenses, and increasing energy prices make matters worse.
Darren O’Sullivan, assistant public information officer at the Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability in Albany, provided an official statement regarding the situation: “Following a shortfall in federal funding that resulted in the temporary closure of regular HEAP applications, Governor Hochul stepped in to reallocate $35 million in funds and ensure that regular HEAP will remain open to continue to provide heat assistance for New Yorkers. The Governor will never stop working to put money back in the pockets of New Yorkers — no matter how cold it gets.”
NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul’s reallocation of $35 million highlighted New York’s commitment to its residents. The state also continues to offer emergency HEAP benefits to eligible New Yorkers separately from regular HEAP recipients. Eligible households that have already received a regular HEAP benefit can also apply for an emergency HEAP benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off.
“(The) Republican trifecta (president, House, and Senate) is blamed for the federal funding cuts impacting HEAP and the approach New York takes in resolving the issue,” Portis said. “This is a critical moment for New York to lead by protecting middle- and low-income families from rising energy prices, especially with reduced federal support. New York legislators should champion solutions like the NY HEAT Act, which focuses on clean energy and energy affordability, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind.”
Carforo believes the immediate renewal of the HEAP program is just a Band-aid fix. “… The funding source for this infusion remains unclear, and we know that this is not enough money to address the unmet need,” she said. “However, the state indicated this lifeline might be temporary, and future funding for the program is uncertain, especially as it anticipates a ‘more conservative’ approach due to potential federal shortfalls. We are concerned about possible funding cuts, with no clear plan on how to sustain the program long-term.”
State officials and advocacy groups like WE ACT remain vigilant in their efforts to secure long-term solutions. The brief shutdown and subsequent reopening of the HEAP program in New York State serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by low-income residents and the critical need for reliable funding sources.
“In New York City alone, more than 25% of households — 1.8 million residents — are energy-burdened, and of those, more than a million are severely burdened, defined as paying more than 10% of their income to their utility bills,” Carforo said. “When residents are energy-burdened, they are often forced to choose between keeping the lights and heat on and paying for other necessities, such as food and rent. This decision can result in worse health outcomes, housing instability, and increased vulnerability to a variety of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.”
To learn more about applying for HEAP, visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/.