NYC Seniors: Up to $8,000 to Fix or Replace Your Heater

What if you need a new furnace but aren't sure whether taking this benefit could hurt your immigration case? The short answer: for most immigrants, it won't — but the details matter, and you should know them before you apply.

New York City's Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) program — part of the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) — opened its 2026–2027 benefit cycle on October 1, 2026. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $4,000 to repair a furnace or boiler, or up to $8,000 to replace one entirely. Funding is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so there is no guaranteed window — once the money runs out, it's gone. HERR is available to the same household only once every ten years.

Who qualifies?

To be eligible, you must own and live in your home, be age 60 or older, and meet HEAP income limits. For a single-person household, the maximum gross monthly income is $3,563. For a family of four, it's $6,852. You also need to complete an eligibility interview — either in person or by phone — at your county's designated location. At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or a "qualified non-citizen" under federal law (this includes lawful permanent residents, refugees, and certain other categories). Payment goes directly to the approved vendor after work is completed — not to you.

Does this affect your green card or immigration status?

HEAP and HERR are not subject to the public charge rule for U.S. citizens — including U.S.-born children of immigrants — or for people who already have a green card and are renewing it, or for those applying for a green card through certain humanitarian protections. If you are in the middle of a green card application and are unsure whether your situation falls under public charge rules, the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs can connect you with a free legal provider by calling 1-800-354-0365. Interpretation is available in most languages.

What to do

• Download the HEAP application form from the NYC Human Resources Administration website, or visit a Benefits Access Center in person to start your application.
• Return the completed form to the HRA Benefits Access Center at 109 E. 16th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10003 — or fax it to (917) 639-2900, or mail it to: HEAP, P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008.
• Call (718) 557-1399 during business hours (except City holidays) if you have questions about eligibility or required documents. Help is available in most languages.
• If you have any doubts about how HEAP benefits might affect your immigration case, call the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs at 1-800-354-0365 before applying.