Utility Assistance for Single Mothers in New York

Where to start

For a wider benefits plan, see the ASMOM New York assistance guide.

Quick reference

Current HEAP status in New York

HEAP helps eligible renters and homeowners with heating, heat-related emergencies, cooling, and some heating-equipment needs. It does not stay open all year. Each component has its own dates and can close early when funds are used.

The 2026-2027 winter program has not opened yet. Do not mail an old application and assume it will start a new case. Watch the state page or contact your local HEAP office for the next opening date.

During hot weather, use the cooling center finder. Call ahead because some sites open only during declared heat events. Some Medicaid members may also be referred to cooling help through local Social Care Networks, but services and eligibility vary.

HEAP amounts and income limits

The figures below are the final published 2025-2026 rules. They help you plan for the next season, but New York may change the amounts and limits for 2026-2027.

For 2025-2026, Regular HEAP base benefits ranged from $21 for some subsidized homes with heat included to $900 plus possible add-ons for some households buying oil, kerosene, or propane. Emergency benefit amounts ranged from $185 for heat-related electric service to $900 for oil, kerosene, or propane.

Cooling Assistance covered one unit or fan, up to $800 with installation for a window or portable unit or fan, or up to $1,000 for an existing wall-sleeve unit. The next season may use different figures.

Shutoff rights and payment agreements

New York’s Home Energy Fair Practices Act gives residential gas, electric, and steam customers rules for billing, payment agreements, complaints, medical emergencies, and shutoffs. Read the HEFPA rights guide if the utility says service will be disconnected.

Ask for a Deferred Payment Agreement based on your real financial situation. A need-based agreement may have no down payment and installments as low as $10 per month above current charges, but the utility reviews your income and expenses. Do not sign a plan you cannot keep.

If a serious illness or medical condition would get worse without service, ask the utility for its medical-emergency form. A doctor or local board of health may need to certify the condition. Medical protection can delay a shutoff, but it does not erase the balance. Renewals and proof of inability to pay may be required.

HEFPA also gives special cold-weather protections from November 1 through April 15. Summer weather protections may apply during extreme heat events, depending on the utility and current state rules.

EAP and Enhanced EAP discounts

The Energy Affordability Program provides monthly electric or gas bill credits through New York’s large utilities. Traditional EAP eligibility includes households receiving HEAP, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, Safety Net Assistance, Lifeline, certain veterans benefits, or federal housing assistance.

Utilities may enroll some customers automatically, but matching is not perfect. If you receive a qualifying benefit and the credit is missing, send proof to the utility and ask when the discount will start. EAP customers are also placed on budget billing unless they opt out. Budget billing makes monthly charges more even; it does not lower total use by itself.

Enhanced EAP began in January 2026 for some customers below state or area median income who do not qualify for traditional EAP. You must identify yourself and apply. Use the Enhanced EAP portal or ask the utility’s affordability team.

If food or cash costs are causing the utility crisis, check the ASMOM New York SNAP guide, New York TANF guide, and New York child care guide.

Utility hardship and grant funds

Many utilities have separate charity funds. The utility grant list includes programs for Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson, Orange and Rockland, and National Fuel customers.

These funds can have different income rules from HEAP. Some serve households just above the HEAP limit. Others require a final notice, an active account, a payment toward the balance, or a referral through a local agency. Programs often close when the annual money is used.

Ask the utility to check every fund tied to your service area. Do not rely on an old dollar amount because grants, opening dates, and partner agencies change.

Weatherization and lower future bills

The Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible renters and homeowners improve energy use and safety. Priority may go to families with children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Households receiving HEAP, SSI, or Public Assistance may be automatically income-eligible.

Work may include air sealing, insulation, heating-system repairs, efficient lighting, appliance measures, or health and safety repairs. A local provider first reviews the home. Renters can apply, but a property owner may need to approve work or contribute to costs in a rental building.

New York’s EmPower Plus program also helps low- and moderate-income households with energy assessments and approved improvements. Neither program promises every repair or upgrade.

Water bill help

Water assistance depends on who sends the bill. Call the city, village, town, district, or private water company and ask for a low-income discount, payment plan, leak adjustment, debt review, or shutoff protection.

In New York City, the Home Water Assistance Program gives an automatic $191 annual credit to certain owners of one- to four-family homes. Current eligibility includes some homeowners who received a 2025-2026 Regular HEAP benefit or qualified for listed property-tax exemptions.

The NYC Water Debt Assistance Program may help some owner-occupants facing a lien sale, service termination, foreclosure, or mortgage delinquency. It defers debt rather than forgiving it, and interest continues.

Renters should ask the landlord or management company who controls the account. If a regulated water company will not resolve a billing or service issue, DPS may accept a complaint.

Phone and internet help

The New York Lifeline program lowers the cost of qualifying phone service through participating providers. Eligibility can be based on income or enrollment in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal housing assistance, or veterans benefits.

The New York Affordable Broadband Act requires many large internet providers to offer eligible households a plan of no more than $15 per month for at least 25 Mbps or a high-speed plan of no more than $20 for at least 200 Mbps. Taxes and equipment fees cannot be added to the required low-cost plan. Some smaller providers are exempt.

Use the broadband plan finder to check providers at your address. The ASMOM phone and internet guide gives more application and scam-prevention tips.

Documents and information to gather

Do not delay the first call because one paper is missing. Ask what other proof can be accepted. Use the ASMOM documents checklist to organize one folder.