HEAP in Syracuse, NY (Onondaga County): Home Energy Assistance Program Guide

Income limits, benefit amounts, and which Onondaga County office to contact — plus what’s actually open right now, since HEAP is seasonal and currently closed.

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Income limit (4-person)

$80,160/yr

Benefit range

$500-$1,050

2025-26 season

Closed

Onondaga County phone

(315) 435-8295

How Much Can I Get From HEAP in Syracuse, NY?

Figuring out your HEAP benefit doesn’t have to mean digging through the state site or calling the wrong Onondaga County office first. The calculator below walks you through it in under two minutes, using the same income guidelines the county uses for the Home Energy Assistance Program.

Whether you’re planning ahead for when the 2026-2027 season opens or checking if you still qualify for emergency help right now, you’ll get an instant estimate and be pointed to the right Onondaga County contact for your situation.

HEAP Eligibility Calculator

Do you qualify for HEAP?

Free eligibility calculator for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in Ohio and New York. Get an estimate in seconds — no name, no Social Security number.

County / Local agency

Household size

Count everyone who lives in the household, whether or not they're on the utility bill.

Household gross monthly income

Income from ALL household members 18+ before taxes (wages, Social Security, unemployment, pension, etc.), for the last 30 days.

Primary heating source

Your fuel type changes the benefit amount.

Does any of this apply to you? (check all that apply)

Someone age 60+, with a disability, or a child under 6 lives in the householdCan increase the benefit amount and give you processing priority. You already receive SNAP, TANF/Public Assistance, or SSIIn many cases you automatically qualify for HEAP without additional income verification. You have a shutoff notice, or your heat has already been disconnectedYou may qualify for emergency assistance, which is processed much faster (18-48 hours).

Where to apply

Apply online →

This is an educational estimate, not an official determination. Your actual benefit depends on available funding, your specific utility's rates, and verification by your local agency. Base data: Ohio Department of Development / Ohio JFS, 2025-2026 season (energyhelp.ohio.gov) and NY OTDA (otda.ny.gov). Verify current figures before applying — they change every season.

2025-2026 Income Limit Table (New York State, all counties incl. Erie)

Household size	Annual limit	Monthly limit
1 person	$41,676	$3,473
2 people	$54,504	$4,542
3 people	$67,332	$5,611
4 people	$80,160	$6,680
5 people	$92,988	$7,749
6 people	$105,816	$8,818
7 people	$118,644	$9,887
8 people	$131,472	$10,956

These are statewide New York limits set by OTDA -- the same for Erie County as anywhere else in the state. Benefit amount depends on heating fuel type and household vulnerability, not just income. Source: OTDA / Erie County DSS, 2025-2026 season.

How to Apply for HEAP in Syracuse (Onondaga County)

Apply Online (mybenefits.ny.gov)

Like the rest of New York, HEAP in Onondaga County is run by the county government. You’ll need proof of income, your most recent utility bill, and Social Security numbers for the household. Households already on Temporary Assistance or SNAP usually get their HEAP benefit calculated automatically through their existing case.

Onondaga County: Which Contact to Use

Onondaga County splits HEAP support across three lines depending on your situation:

General Public

Not 60+, no emergency

DSS-Economic Security HEAP Unit
421 Montgomery Street, 2nd-3rd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: (315) 435-8295
Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm

Age 60+ or Disabled (SSI)

No emergency

Office for Aging HEAP Unit
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: (315) 435-2362
Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm
Appointments not needed.

Energy Emergency

Shutoff notice, low fuel

Emergency HEAP Call Center
Phone: (315) 435-2700
All emergency applications must be completed in person at 421 Montgomery St, 2nd Floor.

Is HEAP Open Right Now in Syracuse, NY?

2025-2026 season closed -- 2026-2027 not yet confirmed As of this writing, the full 2025-2026 HEAP season is closed: Regular HEAP and HERR closed April 10, 2026, Emergency HEAP closed April 24, 2026, and the Cooling Assistance Component closed June 5, 2026. The 2026-2027 season is expected to open around November 2026, following the program's usual yearly pattern -- but OTDA has not officially confirmed that date yet. Worth noting: last season's opening was itself delayed by about a month (from Nov 3 to Dec 1, 2025) due to a federal government shutdown, so treat November as a planning estimate, not a guarantee. Check OTDA's HEAP page as autumn approaches for the confirmed date.

Do You Have a Shutoff Notice Right Now?

HEAP crisis benefits aren't available between seasons Since the Winter Crisis and Emergency HEAP components only run during the active season, they can't help with a shutoff notice you have today, in the off-season. That doesn't mean you're out of options -- see below.

What You Can Still Do While HEAP Is Closed

Call 211 for local emergency utility and heating assistance funds that run year-round, independent of HEAP.

Contact National Grid directly at 1-800-892-2345 — ask about their low-income payment protections, which don’t depend on HEAP being open.

Contact Onondaga County DSS at (315) 435-2700 for no-heat or no-utilities emergencies outside the HEAP calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions About HEAP in Syracuse

What is the income limit for HEAP in Syracuse, NY?

For the 2025-2026 season, a 1-person household qualified with up to $41,676 a year; a 4-person household, up to $80,160 a year. These limits are set statewide by OTDA and apply the same way in Onondaga County as anywhere else in New York. See the full table above.

Is HEAP open right now in New York?

No. The full 2025-2026 season closed between April and June 2026. The next season is expected around November 2026, but that date isn't officially confirmed yet -- check back closer to fall.

Which Onondaga County office should I call for HEAP?

If you're under 60 and don't have an emergency, call the DSS-Economic Security HEAP Unit at (315) 435-8295. If you're 60 or older or disabled and receiving SSI, call the Office for Aging instead at (315) 435-2362. If you have a shutoff notice or an energy emergency, call (315) 435-2700 and apply in person.

Who runs HEAP in Onondaga County?

The Onondaga County Department of Social Services (DSS-Economic Security) is the main HEAP office, but the Office for Aging also processes applications for residents 60 and older or receiving disability-related SSI.

What if I already receive SNAP or SSI?

You're very likely to qualify for HEAP automatically once the season opens, without additional income verification. Keep your SNAP or SSI documentation ready for when applications resume.