New Yorkers who need help paying their heating bills must apply to the Home Energy Assistance Program by Friday, March 17.

Additionally, households may also qualify for an emergency HEAP benefit if they are at risk of getting their heat shut off or running out of fuel. Anyone in need of emergency assistance should contact his or her local department of social services. The deadline to apply for emergency assistance is March 31.

Nearly 1.3 million households have already received help heating their homes this winter through the program. Households eligible for HEAP can receive one regular benefit per year, of up to $626, depending on income, household size, and heating source.

A family of four earning up to $53,076 annually, or $4,423 a month, qualifies for help. Anyone in New York can apply for HEAP in person or by mail at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap. Those who live outside of New York City can also apply for a regular HEAP benefit online at myBenefits.ny.gov.

HEAP is a federally-funded program overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Last winter, more than 1.4 million households received heating assistance through HEAP. In the Capital district, 65,538 households were served in 2015-16, and 60,560 households have been served as of Feb. 24 this year.