DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Home Energy Assistance Program 
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP is a federally funded program that assists low-income New Yorkers with the cost of heating their homes.  HEAP also offers an emergency benefit for eligible households in a heat or heat related energy emergency.

For more information, including the dates each HEAP program is open, check this website:  
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/

Regular HEAP

If you are eligible, you may receive a one-time Regular HEAP benefit per program year, to help towards hating your home.

Eligibility factors include but are not limited to:
  • Income
  • Household Size
  • Primary heating source
  • The presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or permanently disabled.
You can apply when HEAP season is open:
  • Online at myBenefits.ny.gov
  • In Person at:
    • Office for the Aging - 325 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY 12534
    • Columbia Opportunities - 540 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY 12534
  • In writing by filling out a HEAP APPLICATION (LDSS-3421) and mailing it to t appropriate agency listed above.
Emergency HEAP

If you are eligible, Emergency Heap may help if you are in a heat or heat-related emergency.  
Eligibility factors include but are not limited to:    
  • Income
  • Available resources
  • The type of Emergency
 You may be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if:
  • Your electricity is necessary for your heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off.
  • Your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut off.
  • You are out of fuel, or you have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane or have less than a ten (10) day supply of wood, wood pellets, or other deliverable heat source.
You can apply when the HEAP Emergency benefit is open:
  • In person at Columbia County Department of Social Services, 25 Railroad Avenue, Hudson, NY 12534 OR
  • By calling the Columbia County Department of Social Services at (518) 828-9411.
Cooling Assistance

If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help you r home stay cool.

Eligibility factors include but are not limited to:
  • Income
  • Living situation
  • Amount of HEAP received
  • Existence of a certified medical condition that is exacerbated by heat.
You can apply when the HEAP Cooling Assistance is open:
  • In person at Columbia County Department of Social Services, 25 Railroad Avenue, Hudson, NY 12534 OR
  • By calling the Columbia County Department of Social Services at (518) 828-9411.
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement

If you are a homeowner and eligible, Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement can help you repair or replace your furnace/boiler/other direct heating equipment necessary to keep your home's primary heating source working.

You can apply:
  • In person at Columbia County Department of Social Services, 25 Railroad Avenue, Hudson, NY 12534
Clean and Tune

If you are eligible, you can receive certain energy efficiency services, including cleaning of primary heating equipment, minor repairs and installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats.

You can apply when the HEAP Clean and Tune benefit is open:
  • In person at Columbia County Department of Social Services, 25 Railroad Avenue, Hudson, NY 12534


For questions regarding HEAP program, please contact the Columbia County Department of Social Services during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.  For Heating Emergencies that are outside of normal business hours, please contact either the Columbia County Sheriff's Department at (518) 828-3344 or the Hudson Police Department at (518) 828-3388.