To receive mobile internet and/or phone discounts, check if your current phone or internet provider offers it or enroll in a company that does. Check the companies’ lifeline programs below.
– AT&T www.att.com/wirelesslifeline
– Spectrum www.spectrum.net/support/home-phone/new-york-lifeline-phone-credit
– T-Mobile en.t-mobilepr.com/Lifeline
– Verizon www.verizon.com/support/residential/account/manage-account/lifeline-discount
You can qualify for the Lifeline program if you meet the following criteria:
— Income-Based: Your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR
— Government Assistance Programs: You participate in one of the following programs OR
— Supplemental Security Income (SSI) OR
— Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly Food Stamps OR
— Medicaid OR
— Federal Public Housing Assistance OR
— Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) OR
— Family Assistance/Safety Net Assistance OR
— National School Lunch Program
2022 Poverty Guidelines
Household Size
1 $18,347
2 $24,719
3 $31,091
4 $37,463
5 $43,835
6 $50,207
7 $56,579
8 $62,951
Add $6,372 for each additional person.
Visit www.lifelinesupport.org or call 1-800-234-9473 for the latest income guidelines.
Lifeline eligibility is automatically verified annually. Each household gets one Lifeline discount. You can apply to Lifeline in two different ways, depending on the type of benefit you get, whether federal or state-based.
You have State-Based Benefits.
If you receive benefits from state programs like HEAP or the school lunch program, ask your phone company about their Lifeline Program when you call them.
Federal Benefits
If you receive benefits from a federal program like SNAP or Medicaid, you should send your application to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which runs the government Lifeline program. To see if you are eligible for the program and to apply, go to www.usac.org.
Updated on July 14, 2024
It’s important that you continue to pay your energy bills as usual.
Through several program components, HEAP provides people with cash benefits to:
— Help pay heating and electricity bills every month 2 (HEAP Regular)
— Get a window- or portable- air conditioner (AC) – (Cooling Assistance)
— An emergency cash benefit to help pay bills when utilities are about to be turned off (HEAP Emergency)
— Cash to clean hot equipment – (Clean and Tune)
— Cash to help fix or replace hot or cold equipment – (HERR)
The amount of cash benefit you will receive depends on your household’s income, the number of people in your household, and whether heat and utilities are included in your rent or paid separately. If you pay your electricity provider directly, you may receive cash or credit from them, and New York State will reimburse the provider.
To be eligible for the HEAP Regular program:
— Someone in your family is a citizen or qualified non-citizen of the United States (lawful permanent resident; refugee; asylee; battered spouse and children; victim of trafficking; or individual from certain countries), AND
— Your monthly income from all sources, like returns, discounts, and allowances before taking out any costs or taxes for your family, is at or below the current income guidelines for the size of your family, AND
— You get assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP,) OR
— You are given temporary assistance (TA), OR
– Your Social Security Income (SSI) code is A, which means you receive additional funds for living alone.
Find the most current income guidelines at access.nyc.gov/programs/home-energy-assistance-program-heap/#determine-your-eligibility.
**HEAP regular applications usually begin in November**
Apply Online
Create a Human Resource Administration (HRA) account and start your application at a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra. The HEAP application form is also available at www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/heap_application.pdf. **Your name must be on the electricity bill to get the benefit**
For instructions on how to fill out the HEAP Regular benefit application form, go to page 2 of this PDF www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/heap_application.pdf. After you send in your application, you may be called for a phone interview to determine your eligibility.
Apply in Person
You can apply in person by going to an HRA Benefits Access Center or a community outreach location near you otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/default.asp?county=New%20York%20City#result.
— ConEdison Financial Assistance: You may qualify for a discount on your monthly energy bill if you receive benefits from the following eligible governmental assistance program. Learn more at www.coned.com/en/accounts-billing/payment-plans-assistance/help-paying-your-bill
— NYC Utility Assistance Programs and Resources: www.nyc.gov/assets/hpd/downloads/pdfs/services/nyc-utility-assistance-programs.pdf
— HEAP Regular Application Form: www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/energy_assistance/LDSS-3421.pdf
— Documents to Support Qualifying Requirements: www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/energy_assistance
— Tracking of Application Status: a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra
— Energy Saving Tips by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): www.nyserda.ny.gov/Residents-and-Homeowners/At-Home/Energy-Saving-Tips
**Certain types of income, including loans, reimbursement for employment or medical expenses, foster care payments, and earned income tax credits, are not considered in determining eligibility for HEAP. Also, assets are not considered eligible for HEAP.**
You may be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if:
— The heating and/or electric bill is in your name, AND
— Your household’s available resources are:
—less than $2,500 OR
—less than $3,750 if any member of your household is age 60 or older or under age 6.
AND
— Your household’s total monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below, OR
— You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, OR
— You receive Temporary Assistance (TA), OR
— You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Alone
Apply Over the phone
Agency: Human Resources Administration (HRA), (718) 557-1399.
Business Hours: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call staff during business hours and get assistance in most languages.
Apply in Person
You can apply in person at an HRA Benefits Access Center or a community outreach location near you otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts.
HEAP Emergency Application Form: www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/energy_assistance/LDSS-3421.pdf.
This benefit covers the cost of the air conditioner or fan, administrative costs, labor, program support, materials, removal of your old unit, and minor repairs needed to safely install the new unit.
**Cooling Assistance Benefit applications open in April**
To be eligible for the cooling assistance benefit, a member of your household must:
— Be a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen (lawful permanent resident; refugee; asylee; battered spouse and children; victim of trafficking; or individual from certain countries), AND
— Have at least one individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat (this must be verified in writing by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner), OR
— Be a vulnerable member based on their age (elderly aged 60 years or older, or young children under age 6),
AND
— You currently do not have a working air conditioner, or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, AND
— You did not receive a HEAP air conditioner within the past five years, AND
— Your household’s monthly income from all sources, like returns, discounts, and allowances before taking out any costs or taxes for your family is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size https://access.nyc.gov/programs/cooling-assistance-benefit/#determine-your-eligibility, AND
— You receive any of these benefits: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance (TA), or Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone).
Apply Online
Create a Human Resource Administration (HRA) account and start your application at a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra. After you send in your application, you may be called for a phone interview to determine your eligibility.
Apply in Person
You can apply in person by going to an HRA Benefits Access Center or a community outreach location near you https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/default.asp?county=New%20York%20City#result.
— HEAP Cooling Application: www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/energy_assistance/HEAP%20COOLING%20APPLICATION.pdf
— Clinician Letter Templates to Document Medical Conditions: nyscheck.org/clinician_letters
— Summer Energy Saving Tips: www.energy.gov/energysaver/spring-and-summer-energy-saving-tips
— NYC Utility Assistance Programs and Resources: www.nyc.gov/assets/hpd/downloads/pdfs/services/nyc-utility-assistance-programs.pdf
— HEAP Benefits by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance OTDA: otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance
Benefit amounts are based on the cost of providing Clean and Tune services, up to a maximum of $500.
You may be eligible for the clean and tune benefit if:
— You are the homeowner
— Your household’s monthly income from all sources, like returns, discounts, and allowances before taking out any costs or taxes for your family is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size https://access.nyc.gov/programs/cooling-assistance-benefit/#determine-your-eligibility,
— Your primary heating equipment is more than 12 months old
— Your primary heating equipment or chimney has not been cleaned within the last 12 months
— You do not have a service contract with your vendor that includes clean and tune services
Apply Online
Agency: Human Resources Administration (HRA), (718) 557-1399.
Business Hours: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call staff during business hours and get assistance in most languages.
Apply in Person
You can apply in person by going to an HRA Benefits Access Center or a community outreach location near you otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/default.asp?county=New%20York%20City#result.
For information on how to apply, call 718-557-1399.
— Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Benefits Access Center Locations: www.nyc.gov/site/hra/locations/home-energy-assistance-program.page
— Tracking Your Application Status: a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra
— HEAP Benefits by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance OTDA: otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#repair-benefit
To be eligible for the benefit, you must:
— Own your home, and
— A partner vendor must document the heating system as: dysfunctional or unsafe, needing repair or replacement.
You must also meet the HEAP regular eligibility requirements. See above for details.
Heating equipment that harms family members can be replaced under specific conditions and with medical documentation. A doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner must explain why the heating system damages the household member.
Apply Over the Phone
Agency: Human Resources Administration (HRA), (718) 557-1399.
Business Hours: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call staff during business hours and get assistance in most languages.
Apply in Person
You can apply in person by going to an HRA Benefits Access Center or a community outreach location near you otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/default.asp?county=New%20York%20City#result.
The benefit application form is the same for HEAP regular and is available online at www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/heap_application.pdf. Applicants require an interview that can be completed over the phone or in person. For additional help, please call the Infoline at 718-557-1399.
The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is required to notify applicants of their eligibility decision within 30 business days after receiving the final vendor invoice for payment. If additional paperwork is required, the process may take up to 10 additional business days.
— Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Benefits Access Center Locations: www.nyc.gov/site/hra/locations/home-energy-assistance-program.page
— HEAP Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Reference Tool:otda.ny.gov/policy/directives/2022/LCM/22-LCM-12-Attachment-1.pdf
— HEAP Regular Application Form: www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/energy_assistance/LDSS-3421.pdf.
— Documents To Support Qualifying Requirements: www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/energy_assistance.
— Tracking of Application Status: a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra
— HEAP Benefits by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance OTDA: otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#tune-benefit
For more information, visit access.nyc.gov
Updated on July 9, 2024
Home Water Assistance Program Website
Department of Environmental Protection
311
If you’re an eligible low-income homeowner, you can get an annual, non-refundable credit of $115.89 through the Home Water Assistance Program (HWAP). You do not have to enroll in the Home Water Assistance Program.
If you’re an eligible homeowner, you will automatically get a credit on your water and sewer account. A credit for $115.89 will appear on the first DEP bill received after the credit is applied. The transaction will be labeled “NYC Home Water Assistance Credit.”
Call 311 for assistance.
Learn if you qualify here.
Updated on September 2, 2020