Federal funding cuts have left thousands of New Yorkers without crucial heating and cooling assistance, sparking concerns among advocates and state officials over the future of the state’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Designed to help low-income households manage utility costs during extreme weather, the program is facing a crisis as demand rises and resources dwindle.
HEAP Runs Dry Amid High Demand
In early 2025, New York’s HEAP program, which typically runs through the coldest months, closed unexpectedly after federal funds were exhausted. This abrupt end left many vulnerable residents without aid during a particularly harsh winter. In response, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the release of $35 million in emergency state funding to temporarily reopen the program.
We cannot leave our most vulnerable residents without heat in the dead of winter,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “This additional funding is a lifeline, but we need a long-term federal solution.”
You can learn more about HEAP on the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website…