Grant Programs

Financial Assistance Information and Applications

The Home Energy Assistance Program is opening early, and a new program has been added to the HEAP offerings for the 2021 – 2022 heating season.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

This federally funded program, opens October 1, 2021 and is scheduled to run through March 15, 2022.  It helps income-eligible households pay their home energy bills. It is not a loan and you do not have to pay it back. You must reapply annually and quickly before funds run out. 

The Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) program has been announced and also opens on October 1, 2021

This program is available to households who are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and behind on their heating utility bills.  The RAS grants are available as one-time payments to HEAP-eligible households through this Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) program from now until September 2022, or until funding runs out. These grants will cover all accumulated heating utility payments that are behind up to $10,000. To be eligible you must have past-due utility payments and be in active collections, or otherwise facing disconnection of service on your current gas and/or electricity utility account at the time of your application.

Customers interested in the (RAS) program should be directed to their HEAP local district contact.

If you need assistance, you can email your local Consumer Advocate for guidance.

Call 1-800-642-4272 or email ConsumerAdvocatesUNY@nationalgrid.com to connect with your local Consumer Advocate.

In summary,

• Regular HEAP qualifications are based on household size and income. The 2021-2022 Regular HEAP benefit opens on October 1, 2021.
• Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) qualifications are based on household size, income, and having past due utility payments and a disconnect notice at the time of application. The RAS benefit opens on October 1, 2021 through September 2022, or until funds run out.
• Emergency HEAP - qualifications are based on household size and income AND customers must have a utility shut-off notice. The 2021-2022 Emergency benefit will open on January 3, 2022.

*You must apply for Emergency HEAP each year. If you were enrolled for last year’s heating season, you are not automatically enrolled for this year.

Find Out If You Qualify  Apply Now (Regular HEAP Only)

To apply for Emergency HEAP, customers must call their local Department of Social Services office (DSS).  You may call your HEAP Local District Contact to apply.

Please gather the following information with you when you apply for HEAP:

• Current National Grid bill (or other utility/fuel bill)
• Valid Social Security Number
• Final Disconnection Notice or other shut-off notice (if applying for Emergency HEAP)
• Recent pay stub for the most recent (4) weeks of pay or other proof of your household’s total gross income (filed federal tax return, including all applicable schedules if self-employed or receiving rental income), Interest/Bank/Dividend or Tax Statement.
• Proof of Residence (water, sewer, or tax bill; copy of lease with address; mortgage payment book; current rent receipt showing your name and address; or statement from Landlord)
• Documents identifying each household member (driver’s license, photo ID, US Passport or naturalization certificate, school records, or birth certificates and validated social security card)

  To replace a lost New York State birth certificate, please visit New York Vital Records 

• Proof of qualified alien status if you are not a US citizen

The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) assists households who are behind on their rent due to a financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. In addition, the program can provide temporary rental assistance and assistance with unpaid utility bills.

For more information or to apply, customers can call (844)-691-7368 or applications can be submitted online at nysrenthelp.otda.ny.gov

*There are seven communities that have their own ERAP programs of City of Rochester and Monroe County, the City of Yonkers, Onondaga County and the towns of Hempstead, Islip and Oyster Bay are not eligible for assistance from the state-administered program and should apply with their local programs for emergency rental assistance.

For more information about HEAP, visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website, New York State myBenefits, or call the HEAP hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

You can apply online at New York State myBenefits or print the application and return it by mail to your local DSS office.

Emergency/Temporary Assistance

If you are income-eligible, Emergency Temporary Assistance may be available from New York State, through local Departments of Social Services. Payment of utility arrears (past due bills) may be available if your utilities are shut-off or are about to be shut-off, or you have a 72-hour disconnect notice.

For more information about Emergency/Temporary Assistance, visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website, New York State myBenefits website, or contact your local Department of Social Services.

Care & Share

This National Grid program administered by HeartShare Human Services of NY helps qualified households meet their home heating needs. The program will open in February 2021. To qualify for a $200 grant, you must be a National Grid customer whose household meets the income guidelines of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), as listed in the chart above. Customers may apply once per year when they have exhausted all HEAP assistance. For more information on how to apply, call 1-855-852-2736 or visit a participating Care & Share office.